Offaly's biggest St Patrick's Day parade opened by retired Taoiseach Brian Cowen

Offaly's biggest St Patrick's Day parade was officially opened earlier today by the retired Taoiseach, Clara native, Brian Cowen.

Mr Cowen was joined by his wife Mary as he cut the ribbon to declare the 41^st Tullamore St Patrick's Day Parade officially open just after 11am.

He wished parade organisers and participants every success and noted the event had been blessed by good weather.

Parade Secretary, Cllr Sean O'Brien, who acted as Master of Ceremonies welcomed Mr Cowen to the parade and declared that “Brian must be Offaly's most loved person.”

He said the parade was a great occasion, particularly for young people who held their chests out with pride as they marched through the main thoroughfares of the Offaly county town.

The parade was the largest ever seen on St Patrick's Day in Tullamore with the thirty plus entries taking almost an hour and a half to pass the reviewing stand.

The parade was led by the Army Band from Athlone with four other bands taking part – Clara Town Band, Athlone Pipe Band, Mullingar Town Band and Athy Pipe Band.

Among the entries was the local Conn of the Hundred Battles branch of the Irish National Foresters who this year celebrate their 125^th anniversary.

As always members of local sports clubs turned out in droves with hundreds of young people marching with Tullamore GAA, Tullamore Camogie Club, Tullamore Ladies Football Club, Tullamore FC, Tullamore Basketball Club, Tullamore Rugby Club, Shamrocks GAA, Tullamore Hockey Club, St Sinchill's Camogie club and Killeigh Schoolboys and Girls Soccer Club.

Tens of members from the newly formed Tullamore Indian Association also took part and they put on colourful displays reflecting their culture for the guests on the reviewing stand.

The parade's theme - Éire: cultúr trí ceol, caint, craic agus siocháin ar fud an domhain – was reflected in some of the entries including Tullamore for Gaza's plea for peace in the Middle Eastern territory.

Three tenders from the Offaly Fire and Rescue Service also took part but one had to leave abruptly to attend an emergency situation.

Offaly Civil Defence and the Order of Malta also marched in the parade while local businesses, King Oak and KC Motor Cycles, also entered displays.

Upcoming events such as St Mary's Youth and Community Centre's musical and Tullamore Tradfest were advertised in the entries from both groups.