X Factor's Mary Byrne amongst the performers for St Patrick’s Day Festival in Clane. Official launch tomorrow night, Thursday 8 March at 8pm
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 will go ahead tomorrow night, Thursday, 8 March with the fundraising quiz to follow, all hosted at Manzor’s of Clane, commencing 8pm.
“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. Commencing on Saturday 10 March, the Vicky Barry Performing Arts Show will be hosted at Supervalu, at Abbeylands Shopping Centre, at 2.30pm. The following day, Sunday 11, the Westgrove Hotel will host an Afternoon Tea Party, commencing at 3.30pm with Music by Mick Dunne and special guest, Mary Byrne.
“That’s Mary Byrne of X Factor and dj fame” said Mary. “It will be great night, but note you must confirm and pre book tickets in advance”. You can contact [email protected] or Mary on her mobile at 086 0619 086 to confirm. “We are encouraging people from Clane and surrounding areas to come and join the event, especially families who lived in the wider area, back in the 60’s.
Next week, she noted 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.
Next week’s events include Monday 12, Techcreate Workshops in Clane Business Park 4-5pm and 5-6pm; Tuesday 13, Family Fun Afternoon at the Westgrove Hotel at 3pm; Tuesday 13, Parade Information Evening at 8pm in Clane GAA; Wednesday 14, Storytelling, Harpist and Guest Speaker, Dr Sarah Gerber in Enquiring Minds Childcare at 5pm.
On Friday, 16 March, 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.
St Patrick’s Day falls on Saturday, March 17 with the parade planned for 3pm. It’s not too late for your company, club or service to participate – contact Kate Horrigan at 097 8230 728 and return the forms to Kate at 16 Hillview Heights, Clane. Sunday 18 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”.