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16 Dec 2025
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16 Dec 2025
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Barry Flynn, parade MC, has his hands full as his grand daughter, Elle-Rose interviews parade organiser Bertie McMahon
Parade marshalls will be Anna Orman and Tara McGrath of the Clara Heritage Society
VISITING floats from Roscommon and Galway will take part in this Sunday's St Patrick's Day Parade in Clara, parade organiser Bertie McMahon has revealed to the Tribune.
“I expect a very solid parade this year and I want to see as many people as possible turning out in support,” said Bertie.
Bertie caught the parade bug when he was just ten years old when he attended a fancy dress event as a spaceman in 1957.
Since then he has organised a total of 87 parades, mostly St Patrick's Day and Christmas events.
St Patrick's Day parade proceedings get underway with a concert in the square area starting at 11.30am.
The concert will include music and dancing by the James Kinsella Ceili Band, the Rahan CCE, Durrow Dancers, the Conroy Dancers, and the Christian Concannon youth dancers.
There will be songs from the popular Alex Roe and Chris Loughrey.
MC for the concert, parade will be local man Barry Flynn assisted by his sons Adam and Aaron.
The National Anthem will be sung by Clara's own Trevor Kavanagh ''the man of all talents. '' as organiser Bertie McMahon describes him. ''Trevor does great work in cleaning up the town. It's a tribute to him and his family to have Trevor singing the anthem,'' said Bertie.
Parade marshals will be Anna Orman and Tara McGrath of the Clara Heritage Society.
The parade itself will begin at 12.30pm and 70 floats are expected to take part along with a number of bands.
Tributes will be paid to Ken Smollen, and the late Ollie Conroy prior to the parade.
Presentation night will be in Dolan's Pub on Friday night on March 29. B
Bertie McMahon is sending thanks to all the parade sponsors and all who contribute to the church gate collection in Clara.
Bertie's team of helpers include, Tullamore Gardai Celsus Doolan, Oliver O'Connor, Martin O'Connor, Mark Purcell, Kevin Roe, Des Dunne, The Flynn Family, Andy Cunningham, Buddy Daly, Clara Community Resource Centre, Ricey Scully, Michael O'Connor and Eamon Cunningham, and all who helped out in any way.
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