Huge crowds attend Birr's 57th annual Vintage Week Parade

Huge crowds attended the 57th Birr Vintage Week Parade on Sunday afternoon, which was officially opened by the St Brendan's Community School team that won the European Debating Title earlier in the year.

It was a bright and colourful parade with music, dance, exuberance, dozens of cars and tractors, giant puppets and a general feel-good atmosphere of fun and liveliness.

The St Brendan's CS team of Éabha McDowall, Cillian O'Meara, Josie Flanagan and Jacek Rudwicki struck the right note in their speeches before the parade began, clearly showing why they won the European title in the European Parliament in Brussels last April.

Éabha recalled participating in the Vintage Parades when she was a child, creating memories now fondly held. The Parade was about enjoyment and fun while celebrating the town's history, heritage and science. She pointed out that the parades and the week are very special and an important part of the town's fabric.

Cillian said it was great to see such large crowds in the square and the streets. He said there was a special energy and atmosphere in the town because of the parade, adding that it was uplifting to sense the good mood emanating from so many people.

Vintage Week started in 1968, continued Cillian. “The fact it's kept going so long shows that the people of the town feel a special affinity for it.” He quoted Lyndon Johnson who spoke of the importance of having a deep respect for our heritage.

He pointed out that 20,000 people attended Vintage Week last year, a remarkable number for a town of 6,000 people.

Cillian drew everyone's attention to the blue plaques on the town's buildings. “There's quite a few of them, all highlighting the impressive number of talented people from the town, a fact which we should all be proud of.

“Birr Vintage Week is a festival which is for everyone, no matter their background.

“I feel the best part of the festival, the most noteworthy thing, is the pleasant atmosphere it generates. It feels as if everyone is getting a break from normal life with its difficulties and woes.”

MC for the Parade was Emma Nee Haslam who did a fantastic job once again. She “thanked the Gods” that Storm Floris wasn't going to hit until later in the day! She pointed out that there are over a hundred events to be enjoyed throughout the festival until this Saturday the 9th of August, a mixture of perennial favourites and newbies. “There's lots coming up during the next few days which will intrigue, inspire and ignite.” She pointed out that some new events have been added to the programme since it was printed, therefore check out the website. Emma remembered past committee members and thanked everyone “who kept the flame alight over the last 57 years.”

Emma praised the current committee. “Running a festival of this size is no easy feat. The work starts early in the year and goes on for months, taking up a lot of the volunteers' time and energy, all for the love of the town they are living in.”

Birr's acclaimed opera singer John Molloy sang the National Anthem. The Colour Party was comprised of members from the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Association from Templemore. The Cavanagh steam engine followed behind. Built in 1892 by McLaren Leeds this magnificent machine is beautifully and lovingly kept by the Cavanagh family. It once threshed corn in North Tipperary and South Offaly.

After the engine came a Pipe Band; Birr RFC (check out birrrugby.ie); dozens of cars including Michael Sullivan in his 1963 Austin 7, Pat Cleary in the 1916 army replica truck which was once owned by the late Dan Hoolihan, Pat Spain in his 1957 Ford Prefect, Eugene King's 1960 Ford Zephyr and 1952 Hillman Minx, Alan O'Kane's 1970 Volkswagen Beetle, Seán Dunican's 1978 Ford Cortina, Joe Malone's magnificent 1936 Rolls Royce, Dermot Horan's 1993 Mercedes.

Next in the parade were a number of large, colourful puppets and two giant hands on a platform; the fantastic, rousing Absurdist Band waking us all up with their drumming; the elegant Banagher Bronte Group attired in Victorian costume; 3 prams (reminding the MC of the pram push event once held during the festival which featured adults dressed as babies and “lots of shenanigans”); a display of insects called To B or not to B; street performers Calicanto from Spain with their beautiful flying creatures performance; Janet Whyte Spunner on her mobility scooter; the Tullamore for Gaza group & the Birr Palestinian Support group; the Mullingar Pipe Band.

Next were about 20 tractors including Terry Smyth's 1956 Ferguson, John Ryan's 1957 Nuffield, Paddy McIntyre's 1972 Fordson Dexta, Ger Connolly's 1947 Field Marshall, Eugene Cleary's 1982 David Brown, a tractor drawing an 1892 carriage, Liam Higgins driving a Hans Hurlimann from the '60s, Ciaran Garahy's David Brown from the 1960s, Keith Harte's 1972 Atkinson Lorry; the Camcor Riders motorbikes.

Overall, it was an excellent Parade, which lasted nearly an hour and all participants should be proud of taking part. However, it would be remiss to not mention the fact that, for whatever reason, there were no floats in this year's Parade. While the super large floats of previous years will never tally with the restricted nature of the new route (with its narrow roadway and chicane on Green Street), it would be nice to see them make a comeback next year in some smaller format.