Parade organisers keep fingers crossed for fine weather

Date Published: 17-Mar-2009

THE organisers of the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade were last night keeping their fingers crossed that the forecast of dry weather with sunny spells would materialise today (Tuesday) as an estimated 50,000 spectators are expected to line the city’s streets for the 106th Galway parade.A total of 2,000 participants from 50 different entries will participate in the parade later including 12 pipers from Uist in Scotland; 65 policemen from New Jersey; and a group of 21 from Galway’s twin city, Lorient in France.The theme of this year’s parade is 'A celebration of the Sea’ in recognition of the upcoming stopover of the Galway Ocean Race and Galway’s maritime culture and links.Kicking-off at 12.30pm from Monroe’s bar on Lower Dominick Street, the parade will move up Dominick Street, over O’Brien’s Bridge, through Shop Street on to Eyre Square and will finish at County Buildings on Prospect Hill.