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Cllr Francis Timmons – Independent Voice

review St Patrick’s Day

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

MOTION NO.11

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

“To ask the Chief Executive to present a report for discussion at the meeting reviewing the St Patrick’s Day events in Clondalkin in 2015 and getting the views of the elected members on the proposed events for 2016.”

REPORT:

The following report has been received from the Organising Committee:

 

Report on Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day Parade 2015

The Clondalkin St Patrick’s day parade was re-started by Cllr Francis Timmons after a number of years. He got a group of local people together to work on the day.  The timeframe for organising the day for 2015 was only 6 weeks due to a delay in securing the grant. This time limit had a big effect on what could be achieved this year. The committee met with Clondalkin Festival , Áras Chrónáin and some other local groups and hopefully they can get on board for 2016. Unfortunately some groups cancelled beforehand and some did not show up on the day which was disappointing but the ones that took place where very enthusiastic and enjoyed taking part. Others were committed well in advance.

Those taking part for 2015 where 1) Clondalkin Brownies 2) Clondalkin Shotakan Academy 3) Talented Kids and MVW Talent Agency 4) Clondalkin Helping Homeless 5) Round Towers 6) Ciaran Carr Foundation 7) The Beacon Of Light 8) Scoil Rince Nic Liam dance school  9) Clondalkin Fairtrade 10) Professor Sneedypopers 11) Scoil Aine 12) Epic Performing school 13) Funky Steps 14) Ashwood Boys FC 15) Clondalkin active retirement group 16) Clondalkin Active retirement group music group 17) Clondalkin Mens Shed 18) LD Dance School

There was a large number of Volunteers (Local people and local group Clondalkin Localise) that helped out on the day, First Aid provision (Clondalkin Order of Malta) was more than adequate for the day. There was live music (all provided by local talent free), free soft drinks and treats and free face painting.  There was a conscious decision made by the committee to keep any costs down for struggling families.

The Facebook page has 2,800 followers @ https://www.facebook.com/ClondalkinStPatricksDayParade

There were mixed reviews of the Day but you couldn’t argue with the attendance which was estimated to be in the order of five thousand, which proved the need and potential of the event. The Facebook page and committee got a lot of feedback and this has been noted by organisers.

The celebration was supported by the Community Department with a grant of €4043.00.

The committee have met and reviewed many aspects of the day and made plans of action for 2016. At this meeting it was agreed we would meet a SDCC rep and local Guards.

Cllr Timmons met with Donal Walsh, Sergeant Lydon and Mrs Joan Rafferty (Committee member) to look at the event on 22nd April. Some of the issue raised that has been discussed at a committee meeting where:

  • There were problems with the route with paths not wide enough and difficulty moving people off them to allow the participants to march. Cllr Timmons said next year we will be using the Cycle Track , it was also suggested that set down entertainers and a more of a festival event could work well.
  • Only two ice cream vans and one that ran out of stock very quickly, need more vans with tea and Coffee. SDCC would not allow us bring in any. Any in park must be licenced by SDCC.
  • How and where things were located (stand/stage, start of parade, not allowed on grass by SDCC). Also location of free things needs to be looked at.
  • Parking the need to open the overflow car park at the entrance to Corkagh (john’s rd.)
  • The Gardai reported that the only difficulty that they experienced was related to traffic but that it was dealt with easily enough, there was no public order incidents at all on the day and that the four Gardai allocated to the event were pleased with how it went.
  • Funding would have to be sourced from local business or through fundraising events.  Donal said that budgets are decided on an annual basis so it was not possible to guarantee an amount of support for next year. He also suggested that a budget of at least €10k would be required to ensure the event was worthwhile.
  • The Gardai said that the event in the Park was very manageable but that there was a lot of demands on the Gardai on that day with people needed in town and other areas so that would need to be borne in mind.

The committee will continue to meet and work on next year’s parade, A website (www.ClondalkinStPatricksFestival.ie – Not Live yet) for volunteers to sign up, ideas , information and participants to register will be launched in September and plans for March 17th 2016 be launched as well. The website will also have a submit suggestions section. The theme for next year will be ‘1916’ A lot of the ground work for 2016 has been laid and the committee have decided to engage with several groups and organisation and local reps to get ideas to improve the day. The Health and Safety work is laid down. Clondalkin active retirement group has pledged to support and help develop the day and a representative has joined the committee. Also Clondalkin Tidy Towns have committed to supporting the day and a representative has joined the committee.

As with all events the views of the Elected Members are very welcome and will be transmitted to the Organising Committee.

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