Grandad's photos

St Patrick's Day falls on Monday, and as Easter is so early the Pope decreed that it should be held on Saturday and not in the Holy week before Easter. The Irish, of course, are celebrating both days. We went to the parade in Queen St and the 'Fleadh' by the Town Hall.






Spectators were dressed for the occasion. St Patrick himself handed out blessings, amongst the snakes.



The 'Fleadh' included three bands, The Blacksmiths, the Celtic Flyers and the Banned, doing traditional, popular and modern respectively.







Dancers presented Irish dancing, with quite an influence from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.





The right hand picture above is of the troupe from the Doyle Academy of Irish dance, and from left they are: Ashleigh, Nicole, Chris, Corrina, Claire, Sophie, Shannon and Georgia.