Liam Reay announced as Drogheda St Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshall

Stalwart volunteer Liam Reay has been announced as the Grand Marshall of this year’s Drogheda St Patrick’s Day parade.

Liam has walked the route hundreds of times as a steward, but this time he will have the honour of leading the parade, testament to his years of dedication and service to bringing the event to fruition.

The announcement was made at a special launch night in McHugh’s on Thursday night, where the committee made even more of their exiting plans public for the first time.

It was a wonderful night with an illustrious turnout for what will be the 59th annual festival.

This year’s theme is based around mythology and Irish legend, which coincides with the murals recently painted around the town. With that in mind the wonderful people at My Streets, along with the Droichead Arts Centre and Love Drogheda are teaching local artists and community groups how to make large puppets and installations to ensure this parade is the most visually spectacular we’ve ever seen.

DIFE College has also come on board this year to help out in this regard.

Coca Cola have provided funding for Rose Dunne from My Streets to secure a premises on the quays for local artists to use as a workshop.

The parade and the organisation is a collaborative effort that started many months ago with a team of amazing volunteers putting an extraordinary amount of time, commitment and effort into getting this over the line. It wouldn’t be possible without their willingness to go the extra mile and also the help from all the wonderful sponsors.

Aside from the sponsorship needed the parade wouldn’t be able to move forward without the help of the Gardai, Boyne River Rescue, Coast Guard & Boyne Fishermen, St. John’s Ambulance, Drogheda Port and also Drogheda Hire for providing the hundreds of barriers needed to keep everyone safe.

There is a lot more work to do over the next month and the Parade’s Committee is still looking for anyone who would like to volunteer!

“I was delighted to attend the launch in McHugh’s on Thursday night as the committee, under the stewardship of Sarah Taaffe, continues to put plans in place for this year’s parade,” said local Cllr James Byrne. “It is genuinely exciting to hear that the number of entries is up substantially on last year which is some achievement. I have very fond memories of last year’s parade - it was the highlight of my mayoralty”.

The theme this year will be Mythology and Irish legends, and will see many local artists and community groups creating puppets and using their artistic vision to make this Drogheda’s most spectacular parade yet.
The route will remain the same as last year going through the heart of the streets of the heritage town of Drogheda, along West Street and the St Peter’s plaza viewing stand and passing by a section of the River Boyne.
The very popular sensory street is back this year in St Dominic’s Hill for those with sensory issues. This is a quieter space to be enjoyed without the noise.

“Liam Reay announced as the Grand Marshall, is well deserved recognition for Liam who volunteers tirelessly with many groups around the town and has been a stalwart of the parade committee for over 30 years,” adds Cllr Byrne.

“There is also lots of great support once again from many sponsors, Louth County Council, the Love Drogheda BID team, Droichead Arts Centre and the emergency services”.