Cavan St Patrick's Day parade cancelled

Organisers have cancelled this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the county town after they claim the council has not yet come through with funding to host the Cavan parade.

In a statement issued to The Anglo-Celt today, a parade spokesperson said after waiting over two weeks for Cavan County Council “to return our calls”, they were informed on Friday, February 15, that no decision on funding “had been made”.

The Council however said that they had sought further information to support the organisers' request for funding but had as yet received no response.

The absence of a parade in Cavan Town, which has run for decades, will be a blow for the thousands of families who attend the popular event every year.  

The organisers' statement read: “Unfortunately with only four weeks to go, we are left in a situation that we can no longer run this year’s parade. Through lack of support and help from local authorities, we have come to this decision and to say we are disappointed is an understatement.”
It’s understood parade organisers had hoped to run this year’s event in tribute to long-time Celt correspondent, the late Eddie Brady from Ballinagh.

Donations

The committee had already held a successful church gate collection to help defray the costs involved. The proceeds from this, organisers say, will now be donated to two local charities.

“Thank you to our committee for all their hard work over the years and hopefully the parade can be resurrected in the future,” the spokesperson signed off.
The local authority was contacted by the Celt for a statement on the matter.
‘The organisation of these community events is not a function of the local authority, however Cavan County Council is happy to assist any such community groups with practical and logistical assistance, as has been the case for many years. 
‘Cavan County Council received a request for financial support for the Cavan Town parade this year, and requested further information in relation to this request. No response to this request has to date been received by Cavan County Council.’