The chair of Tipperary town Chamber of Commerce Joe Hayes has hit out at Tipperary Council for a lack of sufficient funding for the St Patrick’s Day Parade tomorrow.
The organising committee say the costs of putting on the parade could be almost €5,000 and the council grant is only €2,000.
This is a €500 increase on the 2022 Council funding of €1,500.
Mr Hayes says the organising committee members offered to put their own money into the event at last night’s meeting when the extent of the shortfall became clear.
Mr Hayes also issued an appeal for businesses in the town – especially public houses to contact the committee if they can provide financial support for this year’s event.
The Parade is more than a Parade according to the organisers – a sound system will be installed along Main Street to provide music and commentary from MC Willie Bun.
Musical performances begin at noon and incudes the High Times trad group, Dee Morrissey, Stephen Stokes and DJ Francis.
John Ryan, Tipperary Senior Hurler, is special guest while Tipperary Men’s Shed are the Grand Marshals in recognition of their success in the national pride of place awards.
Presentations will be made to the winners of the best Window Display, the Children’s colouring competition and to Prime 74, The Junction Gastro bar and Guesthouse and O’Neills, Thomastown in recognition of their success in the Munster Restaurant Awards.
The stage will be located between the two banks and any person willing to assist with stewarding is asked to be at the stage area at 12.15pm.
The Parade will leave The Plan, Davitt Street at 2pm traveling via O’Connell Road, O’Brien Street and Main Street to the Lidl carpark.
The Whelan School of dance and the Wobbly Circus will perform on Main Street in the lead up to the Parade.
Traffic diversions will be in place on the Main Street(N24) between 2pm – 4pm approximately to facilitate the Parade.
