We wish our readers all over the world a happy St Patrick's Day - as city hosts Ireland's biggest parade
TODAY we would like to wish Limerick Leader readers all over the world a very happy St Patrick's Day. Limerick is going green this Wednesday as St Patrick's fever hits the city and county.
More than 3,500 people are expected to march down O'Connell Street - more than the number expected in Dublin.
Shannonside will also trump Leeside, as the Cork organisers have confirmed they will have just 2,100 people marching. The organisers of the Galway festival declined to reveal the number of people taking part, but said 50 groups would take to Eyre Square - in comparison to 100 here.
Munster and Ireland rugby star, Moyross man Keith Earls will lead Limerick's parade as Grand Marshal, with the theme of the march being 'I Love Limerick'.
The parade will get under way at 12noon, and will finish on the Island Road approximately two hours later, with a number of surprises lined up.
The Limerick Co-ordination Office has confirmed more than 100 groups are ready to strut their stuff - from professional bands to athletics groups, theatre companies, and youth groups.
Among these will be two dozen schoolgirls from Scoil Carmel, who will haul Ireland's largest national flag through the parade.
Speaking to www.limerickleader.ie, Laura Ryan of the co-ordination office said following last year's crowd of 70,000 people, they were hoping to see an even bigger number of spectators this year.
She said: "There have now been more than 100 entries for the Limerick St Patrick's Day Parade and it's important to note that the parade is also 100 per cent community based.
"We have been overwhelmed this year with the amount of sporting, cultural, community, business and social organisations wishing to take part and demonstrate their pride in the city with our I Love Limerick theme. We are confident all the entries will give the parade a great splash of colour and we expect to have more than 3,500 participants."
On Monday lunchtime, Scoil Carmel school took delivery of the huge tricolour from Salesians, who had the role of flag bearers last year. The tricolour measures a massive 20m by five meters.
The school's assistant principal, Cllr Tom Shortt said: "It's great for the spirit of the school. It gets people out there and allows them to be seen as having a prominent role in the city.
"Everyone will rise to the occasion and enter into the spirit of the thing. I think the route we take works very well. Everyone in Limerick always turns out for St Patrick's Day, and its a great occasion."
One of the girls lucky enough to bear the flag, Sarah Neville of Woodland Park, added: "It will be a good craic. I will be very proud, but I am a little nervous too!"
The fun will get under way at midday, but organisers are calling on people to get to the city early, as O'Connell Avenue and other major thoroughfares are to be closed off from 9am, and will not re-open until the parade finishes after 2pm.
Across the county, there are various parades taking place. In West Limerick, there are parades in Abbeyfeale (4pm) and Rathkeale (midday). The parade in Askeaton begins at 2pm. In Castleconnell, the parade starts at 3pm, while Kilmallock's celebration of St Patrick will get under way after noon Mass. The parades in Ballina/Killaloe and Bruff will commence at 2pm, while Kilfinane's parade kicks off at 3pm.
For pictures and stories from all the St Patrick's Day parades see this weekend's Limerick Leader
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Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
