Monday, March 16, 2009

St Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday 15th March 2009

Ever since we've lived in Ireland, we've always managed to be away for the St Patrick's Day parade. This time we were here and went to the one in Gort, our nearest town. We really enjoyed it, the whole place was a sea of green and yellow. Flags abounded and buntings hung across the streets. I had no idea it was such a huge occasion for the locals. I took loads of photos, as usual, and I think they give the flavour more than anything I could say. I hope you enjoy them. The theme of the parade this year was the 1960s





A good one to start with
















The shops are decorated

























Spectators dressed up to watch the parade













There were lots of little clowns from a play centre




















































In the market place was this lovely old Threshing machine.











Here they were demonstrating how it worked. Jim is in the red coat.



















An old display of farming tools












A lovely old bus and great character beside it.












A model T Ford. There were dozens of old and vintage cars.









More clowns





















One came on stilts
















Getting ready for the parade outside the church, Gort
























And here they are marching.




















My ear itches!


















Here they all are actually in the parade




















This chap had a wonderful time in his church gear.















The Young Hurlers
















These were from the ICA, the equivalent of the Women's Institute. They are The Beatles of course!












Aliens were everywhere! And spacemen of course

















An Alien


















Irish Lions, 'To be sure, I'm goin' ta roar'


















A bouncing man!

















Men on the moon (loved the rocket, a washing machine)




















I think it was all a bit beyond this little Brazilian boy!















A super scooter, pity I cut the top of his head off











I'm not sure why this lot were caged!

















The bouncing man, the stilt walker and a boy on a unicycle.



















A piper and his scary friend the drummer
































This lad with his windmill was waving from one of the old cars













Washing hanging from one of the floats!












Cashing in on the day


















This lady was on a hippy float. They won in their section.











One man and his dog, riding an old tractor. The hat on the right looks like an old favourite, well worn.











3 young Irish dancers in their lovely costumes




Hats and wigs came in all shapes, sizes and styles, as long as they were green!















An Alice Band with shamrock decorations




















A tiny hat












Green Hair!

















Classy



















My favourite Clown

















'Kiss Me I'm Irish', but wake me up first!


















This lass had decided a warm hat was called for.


















I love this photo. What a fantastic face this man has.


















My favourite child's photo


















A super home made hat

















This family were all dressed for the occasion. Look at the little lad as a leprechaun! I love the one on the left's glasses too.






The weather wasn't too bad, at times the sun shone then the wind blew cold. It was a super day, everyone was in great spirits and I thoroughly enjoyed my first St Patrick's Day Parade.

15 comments:

DK said...

What fun! Loved looking through those photos, you're quite right they really do show a flavour of the day. That man's face is the very definition of 'chiselled'!

Twisted willow said...

And of course the shamrock was everywhere which sparked off my most recent blog

BT said...

Glad you liked the DK. Isn't his face marvellous. What a nose!

Twisted willow, I am off to see now.

Stampmaiden said...

BT, loved looking at your photos. I don't think you missed a thing. With all going on, how did you manage to capture "the man with the perfect profile?"
Yes, St. Paddy's day is upon us.
Linda

marianne said...

Wow what a party!
I love the green aliens with the sign : we come in peace!
Happy St. Patrick´s Day Gina!
Thanks for taking me along

Anonymous said...

Brilliant, looks a great day. Loving the little leprechaun, also the shot of the little girl (your fav) is lovely.

Happy St Patricks Day. x

Bella Sinclair said...

Wow! I've never actually seen pictures of St. Patrick's Day as it's celebrated in Ireland. What a treat! Looks like so much fun and festivities. I had to laugh at the poor scooter guy with the top of his head shaved off. Thanks so much for the fabulous pics!

And Happy St. Patrick's Day!

BT said...

Hi Linda, thanks and I'm glad you liked the photos. He was standing just behind me, that man. How could I resist?

Those children really worked hard, Marianne and I'm sure they had a great day. Thanks for coming too.

Hi Jason, the little chap was wonderful wasn't he? The little girl just so Irish!! Nobody minded you taking photos of children either, in fact, they were proud. How lovely.

Hello Bella, it was so much fun. The scooter man was going quite fast, so I didn't get much time to focus!! That's my excuse. Our car is bright orange so next year I think we should be in the parade too!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Edward and I send you and Buster our greenest, happiest of wishes for this St.Patrick's Day!! I loved the parade!

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a brilliant set of photos for St Patrick's Day - they ought to be broadcast all over Google Blogland!! Fantastic post for today.

aims said...

How interesting to see St. Patrick's Day in Ireland. Thanks for all the great pics Gina!

BT said...

Thanks Pamela, Buster says 'woof'.

Thanks so much Weaver, I'm so glad you've enjoyed them.

aims, so glad you liked the pictures. The colours were so lovely, I thought. And that man!!

Valentina Harper said...

Looks like A LOT of fun! I *LOVE* parades!!!
Thank you so much for sharing these pictures and Happy St. Patrick's Day :)

Thansk for your comments in my blog :)

BT said...

Valentina, thanks so much for visiting, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. It was indeed fun!

Renee said...

These are so much fun. Thank you. I thought you lived in England.

xoxo