OPINION: Community spirit to the fore as Offaly celebrates St Patrick's Day with gusto

Communities across Offaly and the wider Midlands turned out in their thousands last weekend to mark the national day and celebrate at St Patrick's Day parades.

A vibrant community spirit was on display in towns and villages as local groups from a wide range of backgrounds took part in festive events.

In Tullamore there was a warm welcome for retired Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, who opened the 41st St Patrick's Day parade in the county town and filled the role of Grand Marshall.

The parade was the largest in its history with thousands lining the streets as entries from community, sporting and business organisations and Ireland's newest residents made their way through the main thoroughfare.

Daingean staged its first ever St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday and such was its success that it is likely to be repeated over coming years.

Once again Kilcormac hosted one of the largest parades in the Midlands with topical subjects, such as the movie blockbuster Barbie, providing inspiration for the floats.

Neighbouring Mountbolus also staged a very colourful parade and fittingly local community champion, Judy Bryant, was honoured with the role of Grand Marshall.

That event also saw the launch of the new Killoughey Accordeon Band and they were led in the parade by Jim Rigney and Johnny Butterfield.

Clara played host to an impressive parade – once again almost single-handedly organised by Bertie McMahon.

Crowds also turned out in force for parades in Rhode, Banagher and Edenderry.

In his St Patrick's Day message, President Michael D. Higgins, stressed the importance of the occasion to the “Irish scattered across the world, and all those who feel a connection to our country.”

He stressed the feast day “reminds us too of a humanity of possibilities and vulnerabilities that we share despite the borders, oceans and miles that may separate us.”

“How so much better it would be that these celebrations be taking place in conditions of peace and shared concern for the sustainable future of our planet and all forms of life on it. 

“Unfortunately and tragically, our times are scarred by conditions of conflict, by wars and unresolved issues of hunger and poverty that affect so many in our human family.   As we are all too aware, millions of people worldwide are struggling as a consequence of the contemporary multiple interacting crises, and of inequality, climate change and biodiversity loss.

In these challenging times, it is appropriate for us to invoke and reflect on the values that we wish to define us as Irish people. To call to mind those words and actions of which we can be proud.”

President Higgins said an example of Irishness at its best, in a world marked by conflicts and unrest, is Ireland’s practical contribution to peace-building, as part of its commitment to living in peace and harmony with our global family.   Encouraging others to do so becomes, in current conditions, ever more crucial. 

He also paid tribute to all those Irish women and men who are directly engaged in peacekeeping and in humanitarian relief around the world and of whom we are so proud.