This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Skibbereen is themed – “The Wild Atlantic Way” and schools, clubs and businesses throughout the community are encouraged to participate in this ever popular family event. Businesses can get involved straight away by dressing their windows and turning Skibbereen “green” for the festival of events.
Festivities in Skibbereen get underway with the Comhaltas Féile Cheoil weekend from Friday March 13-15 with a full programme of music and cultural events to suit all – please find full details here
St Patrick’s Day Church services take place in Abbestrewery at 10 am and in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9 am and 11:30 am.
The annual parade then starts at 2:30pm, from the playground in Skibbereen and follows its traditional route before finishing at the Old Mart Car Park on Bridge St. The Julia Hickey Memorial Shield will once again be presented to the overall winner on the day and there will be runner up prizes too, as well as a special prize for the best little leprechaun!
The fun doesn’t stop there as between 4 and 6pm in Abbeystrewery Hall the Gaelscoil are holding a fundraiser with teas and coffees, face painting and many more fun activities for all.
Speaking of recruitment drive and upcoming launch of Winter Wonderland, Owen O’Driscoll said “We have been busy extending and revamping the entire structure of Winter Wonderland to make it a really special experience for families this year. The venture will also create more than 65 jobs in the run up to Christmas which is a great boost for the area. If the children enjoy the Winter Wonderland experience as much as we have putting it all together then they will leave with fantastic memories of a completely unique visit to Santa.”