This article is from page 4 of the 2014-02-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CLARE will be the first Irish contingent up Fifth Avenue, New York, this St Patrick’s Day.
Led by the Tulla Pipe Band, which was invited specially to the world famous St Patrick’s Day parade, the Banner county will take prime position as this is the 125th anniversary of the Clare Association in New York.
In all, delegates and mayors from Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon Town Councils as well as from Clare County Council will travel at an estimated cost of € 17,000.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Joe Arkins (FG) will travel to Brooklyn and New York and take part in both parades.
County Manager Tom Coughlan, Director of Services Ger Dollard and the Shannon Town Manager will join them. As well as representing Clare at special events, the delegations will also meet with the IDA and tourist interests abroad. The cost of sending the delegation from Clare County Council is € 6,900 in total.
Meanwhile, for the last time ever a Shannon delegate will be represented at the Union County St Patrick’s Day parade in New Jersey.
Mayor of Shannon Cllr Greg Duff (Lab) and town clerk Liam O’Connor will travel first to New Jersey on the invitation of the Union County Emerald Society and then on to New York.
For the last two decades, since the parade began there has always been a Shannon representative in attendance, however, this will cease after this year with the dissolution of the town council. The cost of the Shannon delegation’s trip is € 3,000 in total.
For the last time ever a mayor from Kilrush will also travel to New York for the parade. The Mayor Cllr Paul Moroney (Ind) and town manager were invited to attend by the County Clare Patriotic, Benevolent and Social Association of New York City. As the town manager is unable to attend, Kilrush Town Council voted that the town clerk John Corry deputise for her. The all in estimated cost of the trip is € 4, 500.
Mayor of Ennis Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG) has also been invited to represent the county town in New York.
As she is unable to attend it is understood Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) will travel in her place.