Huge list of activities planned for Clane as town celebrates St Patrick's Day tomorrow

Despite having to cancel their launch and table quiz last week, the committee organising St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade in Clane are going full steam ahead to present the best and biggest festival to date!  The launch went ahead last Thursday with fundraising quiz also at Manzor’s of Clane. Despite clashing with the Six Nations Ireland v England clash, Mary Dunne, founding member of the 14 year old Clane festival, says the committee can’t defer the starting time of festivities or the parade, which is scheduled to start at 3pm, with street entertainers booked to perform at 2pm. Miss Dunne said: "There is nothing that we can do, people have suggested we cancel, but we can’t”. Notably, this year, Clane Parade will start from a different route, beginning from the Business Park on the Kilcock Road for vehicles and for all walking groups, starting from Dental Options Car Park behind Centra of Clane. The theme for the Clane Parade on St Patrick's Day is the Swinging 60s. “Even the horrendous impact of the snow and cold haven’t dampened our spirits” said Mary Dunne, Chairperson of Clane Festival. “We are ploughing ahead with the programme and have a brilliant and entertaining week of events planned. This year’s theme is the “Swingin’ Sixties” and we’d love to see current and former generations of locals come and join in the festivities”.. Mary said she was delighted with the variety and appeal of events planned. Last Sunday saw the Vicky Barry Performing Arts Show staged at Supervalu, Abbeylands Shopping Centre. On Sunday 11, the Westgrove Hotel played host to an Afternoon Tea Party, with Music by Mick Dunne and special guest, Mary Byrne. This week, she notes there’s a full programme of events leading up to ‘the big event’, the parade on St Patrick’s Day with an Awards and 60’s Reunion Night at the Westgrove on Sunday 18 March to officially close the festival. Local music legend, Des Hopkins will be Grand Marshall of the parade. Des, who was part of the renowned Hopkins Brothers, an ace wedding and event band who featured at many a leading racing fixture, was deeply honoured to be chosen as Grand Marshall for the event. After the parade, there will be a four piece band entertaining in the Westgrove Hotel’s Oak Bar from 5-7pm, so be sure to drop in and enjoy ‘Who’s Missing!” This week’s events have already included Techcreate Workshops in Clane Business Park plus a Family Fun Afternoon at the Westgrove Hotel; Storytelling, along with a harpist and Guest Speaker, Dr Sarah Gerber and much more. Alas, the Beast from The East did impact on one aspect of festival plans – the heavy snowfall has rendered the ground unsuitable to accommodate Fossett’s Circus which was due to arrive this week. “Both Fossett’s and the committee are disappointed but alas, this was out of both our hands”. Ms Dunne added Clane will look forward to a visit from Fossett’s later this year. Tonight it’s expected an event at Clane GAA will pack the hall out. Starting at 9pm, the Kilfenora Ceilí Band will perform, throw off the wellies and get out the dancing shoes for a Mega Céilí, admission €12. Sunday will see the closing event of the 2018 festival with an Awards and 60's Reunion Night at the Westgrove Hotel, starting at 7.30pm, admission only €5. “Again, this is in keeping with our ‘Swinging Sixties’ theme; we’d love to see people who live or lived in Clane and the surrounding townslands especially former members of Clane Youth Club. Back in the day, Clane YC catered for youth from Straffan, Prosperous, Sallins and from the smaller townslands”. Music with Radio Presenter Keith Shanley, tickets available from Bob & Kate’s. See www.clanefestival.ie  for full details of the event, or email clanefestival@kildare.ie