Thousands flock to Waterford for St. Patrick's Day parade

Thousands of people from across the south east packed the busy streets of Waterford City to watch the 2,500-person parade march along the Quay before a grand finish just past the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall.

The parade was the centrepiece of a four-day festival under the theme 'Saints & Scholars: A Celebration of Waterford’s Rich Heritage'. Home to Ireland’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1903 and the birthplace of the Irish Tricolour, Waterford certainly marked the day with pride.

The parade was led by a Colour Party of Lieutenant Steven Riordan from F Company 3rd Infantry Battalion, alongside Leading Seaman Joe McManus and Leading Seawoman Sarah Kerr from the Waterford Unit of the Naval Service Reserve.

Great cheers echoed along the Mall as the local hero and Grand Marshal of the parade Thomas Barr came into view.

The three-time Olympian and Ferrybank Athletic Club member recently took home a gold medal from the European Championships, having been part of the history-making 4x400 mixed relay team and described the occasion as “a huge honour, honestly, I think I’ve peaked!”

Mr Barr said the feeling of leading the parade was akin to representing Ireland at the European Championships, “When we stood for the national anthem I felt like I was back on the podium in Rome, but this time we were surrounded by my fellow Waterford people which was fantastic!”

The Olympian was presented with a Waterford Crystal bowl by the Metropolitan Mayor, Cllr Joe Kelly who noted the historical importance of the day in Waterford.

Following the annual presentation of the Tricolour less than 100 feet from the building from which Thomas Francis Meagher flew the flag in 1848, Mayor Kelly described the flag as “the great symbol of Ireland and a symbol that all communities in Ireland could come together.”

It’s not just the Protestant and Catholic communities,” he said, “We have so many different communities in Ireland now and I think it’s important that we all come together to enjoy each other's culture and make Ireland a better place. 

"Our flag is a perfect symbol of that, which makes the presentation of the flag such a key element of the parade."

The emergency services were featured prominently throughout the parade, with fire brigades and Coast Guard vehicles drawing the eyes of many young children. 

Alongside the different community groups and sports teams that took part in the parade, several floats stole the show. Waterford Spraoi joined in the fun as a huge alien head float landed in the city; a replica Sopwith Camel, designed by Waterford Estuary Men’s Shed, taxied down the streets, and a large birthday cake float carved its way through the thick Déise crowds.

The cake marked a special year for Waterford City, in which it “celebrates all of the ones” – its 1,111th anniversary - though they couldn’t quite fit the full complement of 1,111 candles on the float!

Mayor Kelly said, "The parade is the best I've seen in a long time in Waterford. What I really love to see is the young children, they really make the occasion. They're so happy, I just think that adds to the day. It's a fantastic national day and when you think that the whole world celebrates St Patrick's Day, which started here in Waterford in 1903, it's just a fantastic day."

"I love St Patrick's Day," said the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan who noted the religious significance of the weekend, "It's a great day to celebrate our Irishness, but also something even deeper and more profound - that we are Christians because St. Patrick came to tell us about Jesus Christ and his saving message."

"The Amazing thing for me about St. Patrick, among many amazing things, is that he came back to the country which had enslaved him because of a call from Jesus Christ.

"He wanted us, the people of Ireland, to know the Gospel, to know the love of the saving message of Jesus, which is what we celebrate here today. So have a great St. Patrick's Day."

St. Patrick had to share the weekend with Waterford’s very own Saint Declan, who lived in Ardmore, Waterford, between 350AD and 450AD. Legend has it St. Declan and St. Patrick came to an agreement with the Waterford man forgoing the national praise to care for the people of the Déise. While his contributions will be celebrated on Waterford’s second feast day, July 24, when Ardmore will hold the Ardmore Pattern in his honour, tribute was still paid to St. Declan this weekend.

Across the four days of festivities, the city was home to countless demonstrations of the rich arts talent from across the south east. From 'FireDance', an electrifying show at John Roberts Square that mesmerized crowds with a fiery fusion of music, dance, and pyrotechnics, to any of the 30 live music acts that lit up the Déise. Local talents like the Suir Ukulele Strummers, City of Waterford Brass, and The Knockadollys, lit up spots at the Apple Market and John Roberts Square.

Family-friendly activities abounded, with medieval reenactments in the Viking Triangle, interactive workshops, and performances by Wobbly Circus. A special lecture at St. Patrick’s Church honoured Luke Wadding, the Waterford historian who was instrumental in establishing St. Patrick’s Day as a global celebration.

The Theatre Royal hosted a comedy show by Neil Delamare, and music enthusiasts enjoyed a rare performance of 17th-century music by cellist Roger David. The festival also prioritized inclusivity by introducing an autism-friendly area, located outside City Hall during the parade, ensuring everyone could join in the fun.