A Grand Marshall's view on the Athy St Patrick's Parade

I HAD the honour of acting as Grand Marshall at Athy’s St Patrick’s Day Parade for 2026. It was an unexpected honour and one I accepted with humility and with some anxiety given my health problems over the last 18 months or so.

My concern was justified as just three days before St Patrick’s Day I had to call on the services of K-Doc. Fortunately, I was sufficiently improved to be able to attend the parade and perform the duties of the Grand Marshall.

I had no idea what to expect as when I grew up in Athy in the 1950s there was not, as far as I can remember, any form of community celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

The parades to which we have now been accustomed for the past 19 years, have been organised by Athy Town Promoters, an agency of Kildare County Council, and more particularly the community enterprise section of that Council.

The parade commenced at 3pm at the industrial estate on the Kilkenny Road and I was driven in a red BMW by Seamus Fahy of Crookstown immediately behind the four drummers from Dublin.

Their wizardry on the drums was wonderful to hear and fascinating to watch, providing as they did a wonderful background sound as the parade passed down town by way of William Street, Duke Street and Leinster Street.

The pathways all the way downtown were full of spectators, adults and children alike, and I am embarrassed to admit that many of the adult faces were not recognised by me.

Was this I wonder, explained by the huge increase in Athy’s population in recent years as a result of people moving to the south Kildare town, regarded by many as one of the most attractive towns in the county of Kildare?

Many of the participants in the parade confirmed Athy’s position as a sporting centre with Gaelic athletic clubs from Athy, Rheban, Castlemitchell, St Laurence’s and Grangenolvin parading with pride and youthful enthusiasm. 

The local rugby club, Athy soccer club and Athy Golf Club also joined the community parade, demonstrating the town’s extensive range of sporting opportunities.

The older generation was also to the fore with the Fitsticks group marching and performing in front of the parade stage at the top of Leinster Street.

For the many youngsters who took part in the parade it was undoubtedly a wonderful opportunity to display treasured uniforms and were given the opportunity opposite the parade platform to perform.

The Maria Gough school of Irish dancing and the Farrell Caffrey school of Irish dancing delighted the spectators at the top of Leinster Street with dance displays. Shooting Stars stage school youngsters were also there in numbers.

The Women’s Shed group proved popular as they proudly paraded through the town, as did the Sing and Sign group members under the leadership of Maggie Owens.

This is a group which takes part in many local events throughout the year and have again shown their value as a strong community group.

Traditional music was well represented by the Athy Comhaltas Ceoltóirí who enlivened the parade with their playing on the Castlemitchell GFC float.

Two stilt walkers came shortly after the Clancy pub group. 

The Ecumenical Church of Jesus Christ brought up the rear of the parade with a display which was somewhat puzzling, but nevertheless added an interest, if not quite understood, to the day’s proceedings.

I have to admit that my heart was lifted by one marching group, small as they were. 

This was the Kildare Palestine solidarity group who proudly marched with a banner held high seeking our support for the Palestinian people.

How could we not be moved by this call on our emotions or common sense and understanding of fairness.

I have not mentioned every group who participated in the parade and forgive me for not doing so. 

The St Patrick’s Day parade is a wonderful opportunity for people now living, whether long-term or short-term, in the town of Athy or the neighbouring countryside to come together and share in a truly family community event.

It comes together each year, courtesy of Athy Town Promoters, and a great number of volunteers whose work must be acknowledged. 

Chief amongst those involved is Patricia Berry whose attention to detail is quite magnificent.

I was particularly pleased to find on the dry but windy day of the parade that this sickly individual was seated next to a heater. Thank you, Patricia, for your thoughtfulness.

During the week the Irish Builder and Design Awards were announced, and the Shackleton Experience won the leisure, tourism and hospitality project of the year.

It was also awarded the Heritage Conservation Project of the year. Congratulations to the council engineer Annette Keaveney and the architect Ciaran Byrne and the museum designer Mirador Media whose work has given Athy the finest Irish provincial museum in the country.