St Patrick's Day parade grand marshalls revealed for biggest Laois parade in Portlaoise

Dunamaise Theatre and Portlaoise Musical Society have been announced as joint grand marshalls of the Portlaoise St Patrick's Day Parade to celebrate their 25th anniversaries.

The news was announced as the town's St Patrick’s Day Committee entered the final week of the planning for this year’s Portlaoise Parade with numerous floats entered and bands playing throughout the town. 

Michelle de Forge, Director of Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise said they were delighted that they and Portlaoise Musical Society were announced as Grand Marshalls for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Portlaoise.

"This has given both Dunamaise and Portlaoise Musical Society a great boost as we both mark our 25th anniversaries. Any past performers who want to join us in the Parade are welcome to come to Dunamaise at 11am, as you are, or in any costume! Everyone is welcome," said Ms de Forge. 

JJ Tynan, Chairperson of Portlaoise Musical Society added: “We are honoured to share the place of Grand Marshalls in the 2024 Portlaoise St. Patrick’s Day parade with Dunamaise Arts Centre to kickstart our 25th anniversary celebrations. The amount of people that have been embraced and captivated both on and off the stage by Portlaoise Musical Society over the past 25 years couldn’t even be counted and we are delighted to be able to celebrate the enormity of our success with all of our members and community at large among Dunamaise!”. More below picture.

Portlaoise Musical Society Made in Dagenham production. Pic: Denis Byrne

The Parade will be held on Sunday, March 17, commencing from 12.30pm at Laois County Council buildings. 

The Parade will be going the ‘opposite way’ this year, from Laois Council buildings, and then from the top to the bottom of the Main St before ending up back again at Laois County Council buildings.  The reason for going the opposite way is because the viewing stand will be outside the new Library this year. 

The Parade will be followed by Irish dancing, music, craft stalls, children’s amusements and much, much more.  A band can be purchased this year for children for €5 which entitles them to use the children’s amusements as many times as they like. 

Some of the floats that will be parading this year include:

• Vintage displays;
• Portlaoise Panthers,
• Laois Volunteer Centre,
• Portlaoise GAA,
• Portlaoise Soccer Club,
• Laois Integration Network,
• Laois African Support Group,
• Laois Civil Defence,
• Ukrainian Support Group,
• Laochra Laois,
• And much much more.

The viewing stand outside the new library, will be filled with public representatives and other local dignitaries. 

The Parade will be followed by a Community Event on Main Stt and, for the first time ever, in Lyster Square with bouncy castles, street acts, Irish Music, trade stands, Irish dancing and more.   

Bands confirmed include the Portlaoise Accordion Bands and Finns and Frank’s Country and Western All Stars to name but a few.  MCs Christy Bannon and Paul Downey will entertain the crowds at the top and bottom square.  MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Parade 2023. Pic: Denis Byrne

Chairperson, Dominic Dunne said: "The committee are grateful to all local businesses and communities who are helping to make this a memorable event including Laois County Council, Portlaoise Publicans, Downtown Portlaoise and Portlaoise Tidy Towns, to name but a few. A particular thanks to those who supported our tables quiz last week in Kavanagh’s Pub".

The St Patrick’s Day committee include: Chairperson and Events Co-Ordinator, Dominic Dunne; Secretary, Pauline Flanagan; Treasurer Eugene McDonough, Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald, Councillor Marie Tuohy Paul Downey & Christy Bannon MC, joint MCs and Event-Co-ordinators; Frank Ward, PJ Kavanagh, Wayne Haslam and Noel Tuohy.