Limerick mayor will stay home for St Patrick’s Day

MAYOR Gerald Mitchell will not be travelling abroad this St Patrick’s Day, preferring to “acknowledge” the work of parade organisers across Limerick.

In years gone by, Limerick’s first citizen is not present in the city on Ireland’s national day, having taken up invites from parade organisers in the USA.

However, Mayor Mitchell has nominated a number of other council members to attend overseas parades this year - and will instead remain on Shannonside.

There are two showpiece events in Limerick city centre - the main St Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 17, followed a day later on the Monday Bank Holiday by the 51st International Band Championship.

“I’ve decided I'd like to end my term as the mayor who stayed home for the International Band Championship and the city parade. I’m proud to be the mayor of Limerick city and county. Probably the last under the old system. I’d like personally to remain in Limerick city and county. There are a lot of parades here, and I’ve decided it would be nice to acknowledge the people of Limerick and show respect to them,” Mayor Mitchell said. The first citizen will attend the city’s main parade - kicking off at noon on St Patrick’s Day.

And if time allows, he will also visit events around the county.

Although the mayor will be staying home, Limerick will be well represented on the global stage on St Patrick’s Day.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins, a Minister of State, is heading to the USA where he will visit Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

His constituency colleague, OPW Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan of Fine Gael is also heading across the pond. He will take in St Louis and Kansas City.

Meanwhile, City Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell will be heading in the other direction. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing is heading to Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Members of Limerick City and County Council have also approved a number of trips for themselves for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Metropolitan councillor Sarah Kiely, Fine Gael, will lead a delegation travelling to Savannah in Georgia for its St Patrick’s Day parade on March 17.

The second largest St Patrick’s event in the world after New York, the American city will mark its landmark 200th parade this year.

The City East member will be joined by councillors Emmett O’Brien, Conor Sheehan, John Egan, Kevin Sheahan, Kieran O’Hanlon and two council officials.

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The City of Limerick Pipe Band are also flying over to join in the festivities.

Elsewhere, Fianna Fail’s metropolitan leader, Cllr Azad Talukder is heading for Rockaway Beach at Queen’s in New York, with the parade there taking place on March 2.

Finally, Limerick will be represented at the largest parade in the world, with Cllrs Dan McSweeney, Fergus Kilcoyne and Joe Leddin in New York City.