St.Patrick's Day 2012 in Kilkenny
Come out and enjoy a great spectacle next Friday morning when the Kilkenny St Patrick’s Day Committee are staging the spectacular Notre Dame marching band on the Parade Plaza.
The band will perform for the people of Kilkenny ahead of their appearance on “The Late Late Show” on Friday night. They will be welcomed by Mayor David Fitzgerald and members of Kilkenny Borough Council. People are encouraged to come down to the Parade Plaza on Friday morning for the 11am performance, which will be a fantastic spectacle.
Fr Willie Purcell who spent much time lecturing in Notre Dame University will meet the group along with local woman Jean Murphy whose Great Grand Uncle Fr Andrew Morrissey was the 8th President of Notre Dame.
It is hoped that this performance will kick off a lively and enjoyable weekend for Kilkenny as many businesses have made a big effort to put on music and entertainment over the weekend.
The voluntary committee chaired by Cllr Malcolm Noonan are looking forward to the event. He commented, “our long term aim is to develop the content to a three day ‘festival’. To this end, the committee is channelling the shoestring budget to develop the creative content of the parade so that it’s colourful and engaging for the participants, spectators and businesses.
The current input by Kilkenny Tourism, Failte Ireland and Kilkenny Arts Festival to our committee all contributes to ensuring Kilkenny can be marketed as a destination city to capitalise on our brand as a creative and cultural city.”
With the 2012 theme being “A Celebration of Kilkenny’s Gaelic Games, Heritage and Spirit” the 2pm Parade will be led by Captain Brian Hogan, along with representation from all city and county clubs.
There are plans for pre and post parade festivities including music, dance and theatrical events through the streets of Kilkenny on Saturday March 17th. For the past two years the voluntary organising committee has been working to ensure all community groups and in particular those of a creative and cultural nature are encouraged to participate in the celebration.
| FRIDAY 16th MARCH 2012 | |
|---|---|
| 11am |
Notre Dame Marching Band Performace
St. Patrick's Day celebrations a free open air performance by visiting Notre Dame University Marching Band (the Fighting Irish) will perform on the Parade Plaza. |
| 3pm-6pm | 2pm to 6pm Youth Bands perform on the festival stage |
| SATURDAY 17th MARCH 2012 | |
|---|---|
| 12.30 pm |
Parade Plaza Performance by the traditional band “Whisky Kings”Pre-parade festivities, live music, food stalls, Young Irish Film Makers on Parade Plaza |
| 12.30-2pm |
John Street BOSCO perform outside Greenwood. |
| 1pm – 3pm |
Town Hall/Tholsel “Whiskers of Lichen” perform under the town hall with Evelyn White Dancers. |
| 1pm |
Start Line Parade Groups assemble on Dublin Road |
| 1.30pm–2pm |
Street Performances Meet Cat Woman, Strongbow and Maiden, Jester and Charlie Chaplin plus many fantastic Bui Bolg Characters…..expect oversized cows, hurlers, cats |
| 2pm Sharp |
Parade Commences Led by FCA colour party followed by Grand Marshall Brian Hogan & Kilkenny club reps. |
|
3.00pm |
Parade Plaza Open air premiere of their latest film 'First Confession' by Frank O'Connor, starring Pauline McLynn, Karl Spain and Brid Ni Neachtain. (20mins) |
| 3.00pm |
Town Hall/Tholsel Kilkenny Gospel Choir (& Don Mescall) |
| 3.30pm |
Canal Square Dance performances by local dance schools; 3.30pm-4pm April’s Hip Hop 4pm – 4.30pm Michelle Wise |
|
Parade Plaza stage 3.30pm – 3.40pm Starlight Stage School – Wizard of Oz 3.40pm – 5pm Miami Showband 5pm – 6.30pm Swinging Blue Cats 6.30pm - Closing by Mayor David Fitzgerald and announcement of winners. |
|
| SUNDAY 18th MARCH 2012 | |
|---|---|
| 11am |
Concluding the St. Patrick's Day sporting theme, 5Km Fun Run from Watershed via Kilkenny Castle Park, €10; In aid of Carlow Kilkenny Homecare Team & Kilkenny Branch of Irish Society for Autism |
| 2:30pm | Kilkenny play Dublin in National Hurling League Division 1 game at 2.30pm Nowlan Park. |
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