18th March 2014
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
A record 55,000 people lined the streets of Cork City today for the
Cork St. Patrick’s Festival, which was led by the Lord Mayor of Cork
Cllr Catherine Clancy and Grand Marshall Michael Flatley from an open
top Ford Model T car.
The parade, which was themed ‘Legends’ included spectacular
performances from arts, community and sporting groups from all over
the city and county, along with five specially commissioned giant art
pieces, created by renowned street theatre companies, and inspired by
legendary tales, including: Johan and the Whale by SPRAOI, The
Phoenix by Bui Bolg, large scale inflatable floats by LUXe, the
Tractor Factor with Dowtcha puppets, and Life Beats from Cork
Community Art Link.
Five parade entries were commended for their excellence. These
included: Best Overall Entry: Indian Community, Best Dance Group: Joan
Denise Moriarty School of Dance, Best Children’s Group: Cork City
Football Club, Best Music Group: Cork Barrack Street Band and Best
Commissioned Entry for the Cork Community Artlink.
Commenting on the parade Michael Flatley said “I was so proud to lead
the Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was a true honour and I got
such a lovely and warm reception. It was fantastic to experience the
diversity that Cork has to offer”.
Following the parade Flatley joined trad musicians from The Lee
Sessions on the flute for an informal session at The Oliver Plunkett
Bar.
The parade was the culmination of a 3 day family fun festival, now in
its 8th year. Highlights of the festival were The Barry’s Tea Market,
a main music stage, comic antics with street theatre, a free lunch
from ‘Feed the City, the Lord Mayors Ball and the spectacular sight of
Cork’s most famous buildings, like Cork City Hall, illuminated in
green.
For those who were unable make it to Cork for the parade or desiring
to view it from abroad there was a live stream on
www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie , which received rave reviews from
around the world, including Germany, Toyko, Singapore, Perth, Sydney
and Houston Texas.
The Cork St. Patrick’s Festival is organised by Cork City Council and
proudly supported by Cork Airport and Barry’s Tea who have been
long-term sponsors of the city centre highlight. Officials estimate
that the festival attracted 80,000 people to Cork City during the 3
days.
