THE community in Palmerstown got their St Patrick’s Day festivities off to an early start as Stewarts Care staged their annual St Patrick’s Day Parade Last Friday.
A huge crowd of local people, including the Mayor of South Dublin, Paul Gogarty, turned up to welcome the service users, local students and staff as they made their way down the Lucan Road.
Dean Rock of StewartsCare.ie said the parade demonstrated all that is positive about Stewarts Care and the area of Palmerstown.
“Service users, staff and people of the local community come together to take part in a wonderful event,” he said.
“It is an event the service users really look forward to each year and the number of people taking part has grown each year.”
Dublin star of the stage and screen, Liam Cunningham, has been selected by St Patrick’s Festival to lead this year’s Festival Parade which will wind its way through the streets of the capital from 12 noon on March 17.
The East Wall native was chosen in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish acting both at home and internationally.
One of Ireland’s most recognisable actors, Liam is probably best known for his starring role as Davos Seaworth in the HBO epic fantasy series Game of Thrones which has garnered a millions of fans across the world.
Cunningham joins the illustrious ranks of previous Grand Marshals such as Annalise Murphy Joanne O’Riordan, Katie Taylor, Ronnie Drew, Mícheál ó Muircheartaigh and Packie Bonner, to name but a few.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mícheál Mac Donncha, congratulated Liam on the honour of being selected as the 2018 Grand Marshal.
“I wish him every enjoyment leading the Festival Parade,” the Lord Mayor said.
“He is a fantastic ambassador for Irish acting who I’m sure many young people here look up to and hope to emulate his success.”
On receiving the honour of Grand Marshal, Liam said: “I have always been a proud Irishman and Dubliner and I do my best to represent my country and city when I am abroad working.
“It’s a huge honour to be invited back to lead the parade on our national holiday. I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.”
A firm highlight of the celebrations, the Festival Parade, taking place at 12 noon on March 17, will weave its way through the heart of the capital city’s streets in a flourish of dramatic colour and flair.