Getting ready for the 2024 St Patricks Day Festival in Abbeyfeale was Vincent Sheehy from ‘Fleadh By The Feale’ with local musicians Laura, Kevin and Tessa O’Donnell, pictured last Wednesday night in Leens Hotel, Abbeyfeale.
Getting ready for the 2024 St Patricks Day Festival in Abbeyfeale were members of Abbeyfeale AFC, pictured last Wednesday night in Leens Hotel, Abbeyfeale.
It was this past Wednesday March 6 that members of the Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day festivities officially launched this year’s event with the theme for 2024 being ‘Fléadh lé chéile, Mainister Na Féile’, the message being the importance of communities coming together to support each other.
Present at the launch was Councillor Francis Foley who welcomed everyone to the launch night which took place at Leen’s Hotel in the town as he outlined the great line up promised again this year.
Festivities will start at 2pm on Sunday with a puppet show and face painting in the square. Feale Crafters will also be in the square and there will a be popcorn, candy floss and crepes available for people to enjoy.
At 3pm there will be live music and dancing and balloon twisting while there will be a lot of competitions this year with prizes for Best Blinged Bike, Best Blinged Buggy, Best Dressed Family, Most Festive Lady and five dog categories including Best Female and Male, Best Dressed Senior Lady and Gentleman, Cutest Puppy and Best Waggy Tail.
The parade will start in Mountmahon at 4pm and will make its way down to the square. There will be prizes for Best Float as well as Best Shop Window. At 5pm people will also be invited to take part in a drumming circle.
In attendance for the launch were parade committee members, Kathleen Collins, Francis Foley, Michael Lane, Olive Sheehan, Noreen Cotter and Aoife Keogh. Also present were the very talented musicians and Irish dancers from Templeglantine Comhaltas, Mary O Connell and her dog Cooper, along with members of the Ukrainian community who will be taking part in this year’s parade and one of whom will be singing for the crowds.
Abbeyfeale United FC were also in attendance and will be taking part in this year’s parade to raise awareness of a fundraising event they are holding to raise funds for an all-weather astroturf pitch in Abbeyfeale.
There is still time to register your float or group for the parade. If interested, people can call either Kathleen on 087 625 3154, Michael on 087 963 9775, John on 086 316 5848 or Francis on 087 639 1305.
