A snare drummer from Forth Bridges Accordian Band
AN estimated 15,000 people thronged the streets of Enniskillen for this year’s St Patrick’s Day, with onlookers for the big parade five and six-deep on the back streets alone.
The good weather and the preparatory work done by a seven-strong Project St Patrick committee made this, the fourth annual event, the best yet.
Feargal Shannon, who chairs the committee told the Herald: “It went exceptionally well, and we’re absolutely delighted with it. Our participants were up on last year and, definitely, the crowds in town were up.”
If the good weather was a bonus, Feargal was adamant that the groundwork was a major factor.
“We worked very hard at it and, for such a small group, they do deserve credit.”
The committee were bolstered by volunteers coming forward on the day to help out, some from sporting clubs. Away from the main street, ‘thousands of kids’ indulged themselves down at the Lakeland Forum, on the bouncy castles, etc and on Una Lilley’s free ice-cream and chocolate fountain.
As to next year, Feargal said it would be ‘more of the same’, with the committee making sure there was enough in the kitty to meet expenses.
In this regard, he thanked local businesses and Fermanagh District Council for their sponsorship.
Earlier in the day, three majestic steam traction engines pounded their way from Irvinestown to Enniskillen where they joined the big parade.
On board one of them were Alex Baird, the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Roy Crawford, the president of Enniskillen Rotary Club, and Angela Chesnutt, the president of Enniskillen Inner Wheel. The ‘Steam & Shamrocks’ event was organised by Headhunters Railway Museum, Darling Street. It raised £1,138.23 for Tiny Life, a charity which provides support for premature babies.
For full pictorial coverage of the parade in Enniskillen and around the county, see the Fermanagh Herald on Wednesday, March 19.
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