Westport gears up for St Patrick’s Day

Westport gears up for St Patrick’s Day


Westport Town Council is delighted with the excellent response it has received from businesses, organisations, schools and clubs for the St Patrick’s Day Parade. The theme of this year’s parade is ‘Celebrating Westport, Past, Present and Future’. The Grand Marshall has yet to be announced. 
Last year’s parade was particularly successful and it is hoped that this year’s parade will be even better. Cllr Tereasa McGuire, Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, said: “The success of the parade depends on the participation of everyone in the town either as spectator or participant.    We hope to make this year’s parade a memorable one and that the day will be a fun-filled one for all the family.”
A children’s art competition for fifth and sixth classes is being organised again this year, and each school in the Westport area has been invited to participate. The closing date for the competition is Friday, March 4, and posters should be sent to Westport Civic Offices, Altamount St, Westport.  
Westport Chamber of Commerce’s Best Shop Window competition is timed to coincide with the parade, and everyone is requested to make a special effort for the contest. Gnó Mhaigh Eo has agreed to sponsor ‘An Flota is fearr’, a competition that will see an award go to the float that shows the most creative use of Irish and the best approach between business and local community groups, including schools. The winners of all categories will be announced after the parade. 
The parade will commence at 3.30pm from the Sacred Heart School Carpark. There will be traffic restrictions while the parade is in progress and free carparking in the grounds of the former Christian Brothers’ School on the Newport Road.

Any organisations or groups who would like to participate in the parade are requested to contact the Town Council as soon as possible at 098 50400.