Cummins

CROWDS turned out for the craic at Huddersfield’s eight annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in the town centre yesterday.

Ten floats, celebrating different aspects of Irishness, made their way from the Huddersfield Irish Centre in Fitzwilliam Street, calling at John William Street, Market Street, the ring road and Westgate.

Fusing the modern with the traditional this year’s themes included Finian’s Rainbow and The Land of Leprechauns, Irish rock stars, St Patrick and The Snakes, Anne Enright and her Man Booker Prize-winning book The Gathering and Croke Park.

Organiser John McLoughlin said: “We’re trying to promote Irish culture in Huddersfield.

“There are two main ethos; to manifest the work and effort of the Irish community in Huddersfield over the years and to welcome good relations with the host communities.

“All in all, we’ve tried to educate and inform, but most of all bring fun for all the family and communities where we’re from. It’s all done in good spirits.

“The parade standard was as high as ever. It was the most adventurous one we’ve done.

“I’m very proud of Huddersfield, but equally proud of our Irish roots.”

The fun began at 12.30pm with music and dance in Market Place before the parade, which included majorettes and Irish dancers, set off.

Seven bands playing ceilidh, modern and traditional Irish, rock and samba kept the masses dancing.

Mr McLoughlin added: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The weather’s been fine and the crowd at Market Place was overwhelming.

“We were staggered by the support. The floats were well received and the bands were fantastic. Twelve months of work by the committee has been well worth it. I’d like to give a big thanks to the people of Huddersfield for supporting us.”

Fun parade a huge hit once again

IRISH eyes were smiling as Huddersfield celebrated St Patrick's Day.

The seventh annual parade made its way through the town centre yesterday.

Organiser John McLoughlin said: "Our motto is that we promote Irish culture to everyone in Huddersfield, regardless of their background.

"The parade is a fun, family-based event."

Ten floats took part in the parade, celebrating different aspects of Irishness.

Themes included St Patrick and the snakes, Croke Park and the changing role of Irish women.

Mr McLoughlin said: "It was a good mixture of the traditional and the modern."

The festivities got under way at 12.30pm with music and dancing outside the Irish Centre in Fitzwilliam Street.

The parade began at 1pm, winding along John William Street, New Street, Cloth Hall Street, Market Street, Westgate and Castlegate.

It then went back on to Market Street and Railway Street before returning along John William Street and Fitzwilliam Street to the Irish Centre.

Irish dancers, majorettes, street entertainers, leprechauns and walking Guinness glasses all took part.

Music was provided by three top Irish bands, The Millstreet Pipers from County Cork, Offaly's Rahan Ceili Band and the Brother Walfrid Marching Band, from Nottingham.

There was also a fancy dress contest for adults and children for the first time.

Stalls along the route sold booklets, rosettes, hats and flags.

Mr McLoughlin believes the parade plays a key part in the life of many Irish people in Huddersfield. He said: "It means a lot because it shows how much we have developed and how welcome we have been made in this town."

 The 2006 Parade was a truly magnificent display, with many saying it was the best yet. The colour variety and talent of all the participating groups fully rising above the harsh weather conditions.

The morning of the Parade saw a good snowfall, with snow having to be swept off the back of floats and the steps of the Irish centre. Thankfully we were blessed once again and the snow cleared up and the Parade was able to show its true colours despite the bitter cold.

Every year the Parade wonders how it can top the previous but somehow it does!The quality and variety of the floats was exeptional this year. A number of floats came up with new themes: The Irish Centre with their Bar, O'Shaughnessey's Wagon with 'Santa & Claus' (how appropriate, given the weather), The Irish Society/Slaithwaite Brownies with Celtic Tiger and the Euro, The woman of Ireland with the Irish National School, not mention the variety of characters such as Molly Malone and the Guinness Glasses. The immagination, creativity and attention to detail really showed through, achieving a wonderful display - well done to all!

In addition, the musical element of the Parade was also added to. This year for the first time the Parade was able to acclaim three participating bands - 2 from Ireland and 1 from Nottingham.The St. John's Pipe Band of Tralee County Kerry proudly led the Parade in great fashion with sound of their pipes & drums filling the cold air.The Ballyshannon Ceili Band of County Donegal brought up the rear of the Parade with their entertaining array of traditional tunes, on the back of the colourful 32 counties of Ireland Float.

And finally, the Brother Walfrid Greyfriars Flute Band of Nottingham marching in the middle, topped off the Parade. As a last-minute entry in the Parade they made an historic debut for themselves, with it being their first ever Parade. Considering their fantastic performance no one would have ever known. They ended the Parade admirably by playing the Irish National Anthem outside the Irish Centre - marking the end of another stunning Parade.

Many thanks to all those who braved the cold to come and watch the Parade, it made the day. It was a joy to give the People of Huddersfield & Kirklees, such a warm display of Irish Culture on such a cold day.

And of course, to all those who contributed to Parade in any way, large or small - THANK YOU TO YOU ALL - YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!

The 5th 2005 Parade was a fantastic success. The weather was cold but dry, with a great deal of sunshine, which brought massive crowds out to watch as well as making it more enjoyable for the Participants.

The variety and colour of all the differn't floats and groups of the Parade as a whole was very striking - It was a marvel to be very proud of. Everyone commented on what a wonderful Parade it was, with something for everyone, be it from a model balloon, to seeing their County crest on a float.

Naturally, the music and dance provided by various groups was outstanding, with the Millstreet Pipe Band from County Cork leading the Parade and the Brosna Ceili Band from County Offaly bringing up the rear, topping the whole Parade off.

Both the visting Bands from Ireland made a massive contibution to the weekend as a whole, with them performing in the Phenomenal Parade Eve Concert, where the atmosphere can only be described as buzzing.Each year one asks, 'how can we top that' but each year we do.

This years Parade was the longest procession in its' history, with more and more people participating. May the Parade continue to prosper in its growth and provide a forum for bringing the Irish of Huddersfield together to celebrate their culture as well as giving the local community opportunity to enjoy it equally.

And finally, THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Parade in any way. The amount of committment from you all is astounding and no matter how small a contribution may be, collectively it makes the Parade what is - without you all it wouldn't happenWe now look forward to enjoying the varoius events planned for celebrating the Parades 5th anniversary, throughout the year and of course PARADE 2006!

St Patrick's parade a big hit
Mar 14 2005

By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
 
THOUSANDS of happy people snaked round Huddersfield town centre yesterday on the town's annual St Patrick's Day parade.

The event, now in its fifth year, attracted record crowds along its route through the town.

The parade, which started at the Huddersfield Irish Centre on Fitzwilliam Street, also took in John William Street, Market Street, Westgate and Castlegate.

The crowd, many of whom waved Irish flags, were also treated to the sight of 10 floats, two bands and seven groups, who represented the whole spectrum of the Irish community.

The floats included ones from St Patrick's Primary School, the Mna Na H'Eireann (Women of Ireland) and the Frances Cassidy School of Irish Dancing.

Two bands came across from Ireland to help with the celebrations.

The Brosna Ceili Band got people in the mood for the ``craic" while the marching band with the parade was The Millstreet Pipe Band from Cork.

As well as playing in the parade, both played a concert on the parade's eve.

Parade secretary John McLoughlin said the fine weather helped on the day.

He added: "The weather has been fantastic. The sun was shining and it allowed us to portray the parade in all its colour.

"It's full of colour and culture and it's given us the chance to show our Irish acts, together with our local artists.

"This year has been the longest procession I can remember. More and more people are joining in every year and they want to be part of it.

"The parade was great, it was a wonderful success and full of smiling faces."

St Patrick's parade colour on grey day
Mar 15 2004

By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
 
BLUSTERY weather failed to dampen spirits during the colourful and spectacular St Patrick's Day Parade in Huddersfield.

Spectators wore hats and waved Irish flags to cheer on the procession as it wound its way through the town centre yesterday.

Clusters of people congregated in St George's Square, Market Place and under the railway viaduct at the bottom of Fitzwilliam Street.

The event featured 10 floats, hosts of children from various youth organisations and two bands from Ireland.

Parade secretary John McLoughlin said: "Considering the weather, it was nice to see so many young people there."

He added: "We were concerned about the weather at 11am, when we were having heavy showers and gales were forecast. But about a quarter of the way round the course it brightened up."

Mr McLoughlin also said he was glad to see so many Brownie Guides and other organisations taking part.

"We all make our living in Huddersfield and we are happy to bring everybody in." he said.

"The bands from Ireland were surprised at the amount of community support the event received."

The Newcastle West and District Pipe Band, from County Limerick - voted champions of all Ireland three times - led the procession.

Pupils from St Patrick's RC Primary School displayed a model of Oscar Wilde's Selfish Giant and the 23rd Slaithwaite Brownies and Guides made their debut in the procession, carrying the flags of the Irish counties.

A routine performed to modern Irish and universal hits was given by the Silver Stars Majorettes and the English Martyrs Church Brownies sang for the crowd.

Youngsters from the Frances Cassidy School of Irish Dancing entertained and the Bofield Ceili Band, who performed in the 2002 St Patrick's Day Parade in New York, brought up the rear of the procession.

Jugglers, balloon sculptors and clowns performed in the street. A disco was also held at the Irish Centre, Fitzwilliam Street. St Patrick's Day is on Wednesday.

The biggest and best Parade Huddersfield has seen as yet! The Parade now in its third year just continues to grow in every way!

The weather held out for the Parade and whilst still windy it didn't rain, making it an enjoyable and successful day for all involved. The Huddersfield Examiner summed up the day as follows:

"DANCERS, bands and fancy dress revellers took to the streets of Huddersfield in the town's third St Patrick's Day parade.

The festivities began yesterday with a display from pupils of Frances Cassidy School of Irish Dancing at the St Patrick's Centre in Trinity Street.

Colourful floats then travelled from the Huddersfield Irish Centre in Fitzwilliam Street, along John William Street, into New Street, through Market Street and Westgate and on to Market Place. They then headed back to the Irish centre along John William Street.

The floats were accompanied by a flute band, a pipe band and a traditional Irish band, as well as majorettes, dancers, street entertainers and people in fancy dress.

Several thousand people turned out to remember Ireland's patron saint.

Organiser John McLoughlin said St Patrick's Day was not until March 17. The event had been held early to ensure the best bands could attend.

Mr McLoughlin said he was delighted with this year's parade, which was the biggest and best yet.

He said: "It was excellent. We are absolutely delighted.

"We had fine weather and there was a large crowd.

"The parade was longer than last year and a number of people said it was the best yet.

"It is certainly the biggest - about 3,000 people.

"It was a tremendous success and we would like to thank everyone who turned out for it.""

The committee hopes you all had a fantastic day and would like to thank everyone involved for all the hard work and support. May it have brought us joy and pride in celebrating this wonderful feast together - Thank you to you all! Here's to 2004!!

BROTHERS PEARSE GAA FLOAT - The lads celebrating 25 years of the youth section.

O'SHAUGHNESSEY'S award winning Vintage Truck together with THE LONE PIPER

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING...

FRANCIS CASSIDY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCERS outside St. Patrick's Catholic Centre.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED BY THE GREEN & RED OF MAYO!

BIRMINGHAM IRISH DRUM & PIPE BAND marching through St. Georges Square, past Huddersfield Railway Station.

Members of BIRMINGHAM IRISH DRUM & PIPE BAND & LEEDS COMHALTAS, providing a good old music session in the Irish Centre after the Parade.

THE KING OF HUDDERSFIELD doing it his way.

JAMES LARKIN REPUBLICAN FLUTE BAND - LIVERPOOL playing the Irish National Anthem outside the Irish Centre at the end of the Parade.