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Countdown to 2020 Ennis St. Patrick’s Day Parade

9 March 2020

It is with regret that the Ennis Annual St Patrick's Day parade will be cancelled.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the Clare County Capital next Tuesday (March 17th) for the 2020 Ennis St. Patricks Day Parade.

Clare County Council is once again seeking to make the Ennis Parade a countywide affair by inviting groups, businesses, societies and clubs from every parish, village and town in Clare to take part in the County Parade.  In excess of 10,000 people lined the streets of town during last year’s parade, which featured in excess of 50 groups representing the many aspects of life in Ennis and County Clare.

The parade provides participating groups, organisations, bands, schools and individuals a unique opportunity to showcase their own talents and skills.  There will be prizes for Best Visual Spectacle (€300), Best Musical Entrant (€300), Best Environmental Interpretation of the Theme "Live the Greener Way" (€300) and the overall winner awarded an additional €500.

In recognition of this year’s theme, Clare County Council encourages all those who plan on joining in the festivities to embrace all things environmental by remembering to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, so come along with flags and plenty colour to turn the town green while experiencing a spectacle of music and dance in our County Town.

The parade commences at 11.00am from Clare County Council’s Headquarters at Áras Contae an Chláir before proceeding via New Road, Newbridge Road, Club Bridge, Abbey Street, O’Connell Square, Bank Place and Bindon Street. 

The reviewing stand for 2020 is at Bank Place, Ennis.

Two designated viewing areas are being made available this year to enhance the spectators’ experience. There will be a large designated viewing area along Newbridge road between Club Bridge and Steele’s Terrace. This viewing area will afford perfect views of the parade and participants with the river and Club Bridge in the background. The location is in close proximity to the Stage at Steele’s Terrace where live traditional music will be performed from around 10am. The designated Disabled parking area is located at Ennis Courthouse, Lifford Road.

A Designated Disabled Viewing Area also will be established on Bank Place for disabled spectators for the duration of the parade. Spaces will be limited so spectators wishing to avail of this facility should arrive early. Disabled parking will be available nearby in the Council’s car park at Friars Walk, Ennis.

Special traffic management arrangements will be in place from 8.00am. Diversions will be in place and pedestrian access will be available. The roads being closed on a rolling basis include Steele’s Terrace/Newbridge Rd. (from Kelly’s Corner roundabout to the Club Bridge), New Rd. from its junction with Tulla Rd. to Newbridge Rd., College Rd. (local access only), Mill Rd. in an easterly direction from the Maid of Erin Roundabout to its junction with Bindon St., Harmony Row, Abbey St., Francis St. from Francis St. Car Park to Abbey St., Abbey St. Car Park (closed to parking from 8.00am with exit from the car park restricted during the parade), O’Connell Sq., O’Connell St., Bank Place, Bindon Street, Harvey’s Quay (Parnell Street) car park (restricted access and no through access), Old Friary Lane, High Street and Salthouse Lane.  Diversions will be in place and pedestrian access will be available.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr. Johnny Flynn, will lead the Parade alongside Blackie O’Connell who is this year’s chosen Grand Marshall.  Blackie has been chosen in acknowledgement of his prolific career as one of the most talented uilleann pipers in traditional music.  The Mayor and Grand Marshall will lead the parade in a horse drawn carriage through the town of Ennis.

“I look forward to joining in the celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day alongside Blackie O’Connell as we join the people of Ennis and beyond in celebrating our National Holiday.  As Mayor of Ennis, I was delighted to propose Blackie as this year’s Grand Marshall to recognise not alone his own personal great contribution to music and culture in Ennis and Clare but also to recognise all those brilliant artists, crafters, writers and musicians that we in Clare are privileged to have living among us”, said Mayor Johnny Flynn.

All relevant details about the traffic management plan on St. Patrick’s Day are published on the Clare County Council website (www.clarecoco.ie), on the parade Facebook Page (ennisparade) and on Twitter (@ennisparade) using the ennisparade hashtag (#ennisparade). Details can also be found on the Visit Ennis website (www.visitiennis.com) and through local media outlets.

Page last reviewed: 09/03/20

Content managed by: Corporate Services Department

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