PICTURES: Roscrea's 43rd Parade 'one of the best ever'

ROSCREA'S 43rd St. Patrick's Day Parade will be long remembered as one of the very best events the town has ever hosted - where the perfect mix of good weather, large crowds and an impromptu street party on Market Square made for an unforgettable experience.

The music of visiting French musicians 'Banda Follet' and their giddy style of jolly jazz had the town centre hopping on Friday's national holiday as the Parade drew to a grand finale, where the young and not so young took to the streets and made Market Square a popup dancefloor.

The organising committee, led by Chairman Shane Lee, had everything in place so that should the stars align and the event be blessed with fine weather and a good turnout of floats and spectators, the Roscrea event could relive its heyday and attract the large crowds seen before the pandemic.

However, one thing was missing from the Roscrea Parade this year - beloved community figure and Parade stalwart, Adrian Hewson - who was fondly remembered after his death in October. Mr. Hewson, who would have proudly watched this year's Parade from the review stand, will be forever remembered in Roscrea with the creation of the Adrian Hewson Perpetual Trophy.

Aptly the first winners of that trophy are Roscrea's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - something Adrian, who was a dedicated animal lover who had cats all his life, would have approved of. 

The brilliant jazz group Banda Follet from France, who sparked an impromptu party on Market Square and a fantastic finale for the event. Photo: PJ Wright

After the unexpected success of Banda Follet's performance plans are underway to build on the idea of a streetparty themed event after the Parade.

Members of the organising committee, those who attended all of the Roscrea Parades since 1979 and residents of the town all agreed that this year's Parade was one of, if not the best St. Patrick's Day Parades in Roscrea.

Over the years Theresa Larkin and her students have raised over €40,000 for various charities, including Pieta House Roscrea, St. Vincent de Paul Roscrea, The Laurels at Dean Maxwell, North Tipperary Hospice, Roscrea Youth Centre and the Rosemary Project by Roscrea Lions Club. Theresa and her students are an annual highlight at the Roscrea Parade and this year won the Best Business Float category. Photo: PJ Wright

ADRIAN HEWSON'S CONTRIBUTION CELEBRATED

Guest of Honour for the Parade, Anne Ralph, donated the new perpetual trophy celebrating Adrian Hewson's community contribution. 

A former reporter for the Midland Tribune and Tipperary Star, Mrs. Ralph was his close friend and colleague on the now defunct Roscrea Junior Chamber of Commerce and the first Roscrea St. Patrick's Day Parades.   

Pictured above are the students of Scoil Iosef Naofa in Corville who brought their recent production of 'The Lion King' on the road for the Roscrea Parade and won the Best Overall Entry category. The school is currently open for enrolment and have a magical open night planned for April 25. Photo: PJ Wright

“I am here for a very special reason – to remember and pay tribute to a man who, for the first time since 1979, will not be present at the Roscrea Parade”, Anne Ralph said addressing the crowd from the review stand on Market Square.

“On October 1st last Adrian Hewson departed this world. His passing was felt deeply by all of us that were privileged to call him a friend.

Roscrea's Scout Group caters for boys and girls from 6 years upwards across its different programme sections and offers exciting activities including camping, iking, watersports, first aid training, cycling, sports and much more. The group have supported many Parades in Roscrea over the last 43 events. Photo: PJ Wright

“The Roscrea Parade and Adrian Hewson are intrinsically linked. He was a member of the first-ever Parade Committee, back when the event was organised by Roscrea Junior Chamber. Both John Lupton and I had the privilege of working alongside him for the majority of these Parades.

Roscrea Tidy Towns group was etsbalished in the 1980s and have worked with the Community Employment Scheme and helpers from the Corville House Direct Provision centre to transform the streets of the town. New members are always welcome to come along and pitch in. Pictured above is their float which was created by Alison Crofton, who is granddaughter of Rose Crofton, one of the Tidy Towns founding members and hardest working stalwarts. Photo: PJ Wright

“Down through the years he served as Chairman, Commentator or Judge. Last year, almost as if fate determined it, he was the worthy Guest of Honour at the Parade. In retrospect, it seems as though he had come full circle”, Anne said.

Roscrea's 43rd St. Patrick's Day Parade will be remembered as one of the best since the very first event, which was held in Arctic conditions in 1979. Pictured above are Templemore's Thomas MacDonagh Pipe Band performing at this year's event, who are one of the longest supporters of the Roscrea Parade. Photo: PJ Wright

“For those of us who knew and loved Adrian, this year’s Parade is tinged with nostalgia. We miss him dearly, although we feel his presence here with us. Without his fortitude, commitment and love of Roscrea, it is possible that we would not be here to celebrate the 43rd Parade in Roscrea, or indeed many that have happened in the past.

Tom and Anne Ralph were Parade Judges and Anne, who was a lifelong friend of Adrian Hewson and involved in several past Parades, was Guest of Honour. Photo: PJ Wright

“Events like these do not simply happen. They take a great deal of work and commitment. There are many towns across Ireland today that will not stage a Parade because they do not have people with the dedication that exists in Roscrea to make our national holiday a special event.

Age Friendly Roscrea's group were led in the Parade by founder Anne Keevey. The group are always busy and invite everyone to attend the plethora of different events they hold in their headquarters in the former Courthouse on Gaol Road. Photo: PJ Wright

“Thank you to the hard-working committee in Roscrea that have and will continue to ensure that this town will maintain its 43 years tradition of honouring Ireland’s Patron Saint. Thank you to the entrants who are bringing their vision to life.

Roscrea Lions Club put on a great display which focused on the many projects the group of very dedicated volunteers are involved in. Roscrea Lions Club have been serving the needs to Roscrea for the past 55 years and is made up of 35 members. Photo: PJ Wright

“And finally, thank you to Adrian Hewson for everything that he has left in place to bring us to this day. As an expression of that gratitude I would like to dedicate today’s Parade to our founder member and great friend, Adrian Hewson,” Anne Ralph said.

Pictured at the Blessing of the Shamrock at the pre-Parade reception are John Lupton, Fr Malachy, Rev. Tom Kingston, Conty Cunningham, Fr. Tom Corbett, Fr. Auntun, Inspector Ailish Myles, Shane Lee, Danny Kelly and B. Martin. (Front row) Rev Jane Galbraith, Anne Ralph, Marie Tooher and Catriona Fletcher. Photo: PJ Wright