Parade on the right day

Date Published: 04-Mar-2008

GALWAY’S St. Patrick Day’s Parade — the largest in the West — will take place on the usual date of March 17 this year, despite the fact that the religious celebrations have been pushed forward by two days.

The Catholic Church had decided to move the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint to Saturday, March 15, so it wouldn’t clash with the second day of Holy Week.

However, according to Caroline Conlon, the Director of Galway’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, it was decided to hold Galway’s parade on Monday, March 17— when the feast day is normally celebrated —to avoid confusion.

“Most everywhere in the world, and most of the big cities and towns [in Ireland] are going ahead on the 17, and we decided we would also do same, instead of confusing things,” she said, adding this decision was taken well before Christmas.

Ms. Conlon said they haven’t received many calls about the date, as March 17 had been posted on the website as the day the event would be held.

More than 40 different groups are taking part in this year’s parade,which kicks off at 12.30pm, starting at Dominick Street, going up Bridge, Mainguard and Shop Streets and …….