Snakes, turf and the Housing Crisis feature in Kilcormac Parade

Snakes, turf and the Housing Crisis featured in this year's St Patrick's Day Parade in Kilcormac.
The 42nd iteration of the annual event was inventive, imaginative, creative and a massive credit to all involved.
Over the years the town's St Patrick's Day Parade has gained an enviable tradition for being a great event, which the community throws their whole heart into and which produces floats of the very highest standard. This year was no different, with a number of outstanding floats taking part.
There were many participants, including vintage cars, vintage tractors, local sports clubs, a bagpiper, various local organisations, children in fancy dress, line dancers, displays of antiques from early 20th century Ireland, magnificent looking motorbikes, a donkey, cartloads of turf, and much more. It showed what a vibrant and positive place Kilcormac and the wider West Offaly area is. Great numbers of spectators turned out to watch the event and there was a clear sense that they were really enjoying themselves.
The annual Parade stands out from other Parades in Offaly because it's not afraid to tackle controversial topics. This year they tackled the Bord Bia / IFA stand-off with a float showing a tug of war contest. On one side were the protesting farmers, on the other three politicians (Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and Martin Heydon). The farmers won the tug of war and triumphantly threw the politicians onto a haystack.
Donald Trump also made an appearance, emerging from a vintage car and showing a candle to the crowds. The implication was obvious and echoed what many of us are secretly wondering – faced by the cost of living crisis and rising fuel prices will we have to start using more candles?
A wonderful entry by the Flynn family tackled the neverending Housing Crisis. In front of the viewing stand the Flynns assembled a replica house, impressing everyone with their carpentry skills. Their replica house was a symbol of their deep admiration for the skill and hard work of tradespeople in the building industry, as well as being a symbol of their desire to see a more enlightened housing system serving the people of Ireland, rather than the present system which is failing us.
Turf remains a vital part of people's lives in Offaly because it remains a cheap form of fuel during a cost of living crisis. This love for turf was on display during Tuesday's Parade in the form of a number of turf carts, one of which had a sign saying “No oil, no problem. Turf 2026 saved.” Again the message was obvious – faced with fuel poverty many people, in desperation, turn to turf.
St Patrick and his snakes were represented in a great entry featuring 32 children who were holding a number of snake banners, accompanied by a giant snake. Behind them came St Patrick, played by a boy. It being a cold afternoon the MC Paddy Buckley sympathised with him. “St Patrick looks like he's freezing! You're not the only one!”