2007 Archive
Welcome to Paddywood!
Rumours are abounding... Apparently three top level Hollywood producers are coming to Galway this March with a simple mission - to make the perfect Irish movie. No one knows if it's true but the word on the street is that they are looking for talent and everyone wants in. Only one problem - no one knows what the movie is about! Several groups are putting together their acts hoping to be spotted at the Galway St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Will they go for the big samba / snake number?
Are they looking to recreate the Galway races?
Are they looking for a lovely girl?
Or a Playboy of the Western World?
Of course all the best actors are demanding to be seen and causing a real headache for their agents and the papparrazzi alike! Maybe they will be wowed by the dancing fairies or their queen, or are they just looking for a plain old leprechaun?
This years themed section is directed by Eilís Nic Dhonncha Eilis, designed by Tara Bhreathnach and props are by Pauline Ryan. "We are delighted with the amount of hard work and creativity that has gone into the themed section" they said, "we would like to thank in particular na Crosáin, Brothers of Charity Drama in the Community Scheme, Foróige Knocknacarra, Claddagh National School and Macnas for their support."
"There will be lots of additional highlights in this year's Parade", says Parade Director, Caroline Conlon, "to name but a few, a "recycling machine" based on a barrel top wagon from the Galway Traveller Movement, Tree Fairies from Colours Street Theatre, an array of animals from the Galway Circus Project, Galway Musical Society's Pirates of Penzance, a 14 th Century traditional Filipino dance performed by the Galway Filipino Community and much more. Musically, the parade is rich in school, youth and marching bands."
Visiting groups this year include Scotland's Uist Pipe Band, all the way from the Western Isles, St. Patrick's Flute and Drum Band, Mayobridge, Dunloy Flute and Drum Band, Cork Pipe Band and a traditional Breton Pipe and Dance group from Lorient.
This year's Guests of Honour are two of Galway City's Special Olympic Athletes, Síle McNicoll and Clara Joyce, who will represent Ireland in October of this year at the Special Olympics in China. Síle will represent Ireland in bowling and Clara in swimming. Both athletes participated in the Special Olympics in Ireland four years ago and are delighted to be given this great honour.
The parade will be starting on Dominic Street at 12:30
Wheelchair users will have a special area to view the St Patrick's Day Parade
A designated wheelchair user area will be in operation at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade. The area will be situated at the top of Eyre Square and will offer excellent views of the Parade.
The elevated wheelchair user area will be covered and will have a lift. It will be in operation from midday on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday 17 th March, and will be staffed at all times. The area will look out over Eyre Square towards the reviewing stand.
St. Patrick's Day Parade Returns to Eyre Square
This year will see the return of the St. Patrick's Day Parade to Eyre Square . The parade will move through the city starting at Dominic Street, it will then proceed up Bridge Street, Mainguard Street and Shop Street to finish on Eyre Square . In a break from the traditional route across the top of Eyre Square, the parade will now loop around the square by Richardson's Bar and Ceannt Station, with the reviewing stand located in front of the new Hotel Meyrick. The parade will then disperse onto the Docks and Merchants Road.
"The idea", says Parade Director Caroline Conlon, "is to create a focal point, and the newly refurbished Eyre Square provides us with a natural amphitheatre. The reviewing stand will look out over an Eyre Square brimming with people."
For a number of years the Parade Route has finished on Woodquay, due to the refurbishment of Eyre Square. This year the city centre square will again become a hive of activity to locals, visitors and businesses.
Join the St. Patrick's Day Parade!
Applications are now being accepted for Galway's 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade. As many groups as possible, from all walks of life, are encouraged to take part in Galway's 104th St. Patrick's Day Parade, which will follow on from last year's success as a "walking" parade.
No trucks or heavy vehicles will be permitted, with the exception of vintage cars, and participants are encouraged to meet this challenge with new and imaginative ideas for their "walking floats".
Every year both local and international pipe bands, dance groups and performance artists come to Galway to experience a parade which is widely regarded as one of the best in Ireland.
What sets the Galway Parade apart is that it is big enough to create a carnival atmosphere, yet intimate enough for each participating group to feel thoroughly part of it. Up to 50,000 spectators are expected to line the streets this year for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
New Galway St. Patrick's Day Parade Director Appointed
This month sees the appointment of Caroline Conlon as Galway's new St. Patrick's Day Parade Director for 2007. Caroline brings with her a wealth of experience in both the arts and the events industry through her ongoing work with both the Town Hall Theatre and one of Galway's leading event management companies, Those Two Girls. Caroline commented "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to organise an event as diverse as the St. Patrick's Day Parade; I hope to build on the hard work and relationships made by my predecessor, Breandán Ó hEaghra, and to give Galway an exciting and quirky St. Patrick's Day Parade. I'd like to think that I will put my own stamp on the parade and therefore hope to incorporate many new and interesting acts in the line-up." Caroline has already been in talks with Galway's well-known street theatre group Macnas, as well as groups from Los Angeles, Scotland and Denmark to participate in the Parade.
"St Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday this year so we expect a big influx of people into Galway for the weekend's festivities, we hope to impress and entertain both visitors and locals alike."
Caroline's appointment comes on the back of Galway City Council's Publicity Officer and former St. Patrick's Day Parade Director Breandán Ó hEaghra taking up the challenging position of Assistant Director at the Galway City Museum.
Other recent high profile moves within Galway City's Arts Scene include Fergal McGrath's departure from the Druid Theatre Company and the more recent announcement of Mike Diskin's departure of the Town Hall Theatre. These moves take with them some of the most experienced arts directors, administrators and coordinators Galway has to offer, however, they also pave the way for the next generation, who they have been guiding along behind the scenes.