On the day that Ireland won the rugby Grand Slam the young players were promoting the game at the Gorey St Patrick’s Day Parade. (Pic; Attracta Hempenstall).

It was a freezing St Patrick’s Day across Wexford and the weather may have been a contributory factor in a drop in attendances at St Patrick’s Day parades. However, the national saint was remembered with pride and the matching bands and floats were as enthusiastic as ever.

Nancy Byrne, President of Gorey Little Theatre, was Grand Marshal in Gorey and she proudly led the parade with the Gorey Pipe Band.

Wexford held its parade along the quays in the morning and there was a good turnout. New Ross was successful too.

Enniscorthy was one of the centres to move the celebrations forward to facilitate viewing of Ireland’s magnificent Grand Slam victory over England in the rugby at Twickenham.

Coolgreany’s Grand Marshal was local activist, Mollie McDonald, and well-known photographer, John Wilkinson, held the same position in Carnew.

A number of smaller parades were held at Clonroche and Carrig-on-Bannow, while there was a ‘parade with a difference’, a humorous event held at Curragraigue, near Ballindaggin, organised by folklorist Michael Fortune and his partner, Aileen Lambert.

The Ballindaggin Pipe Band were guests of the London-Wexford Association annual parade held on the streets of London and passing through Traflager Square. St Patrick is still not forgotten!