Mrs Brown’s Boys star Fiona O’Carroll is to be the MC of this year’s Ashbourne St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Fiona has been a cast member of Mrs Brown’s Boys portraying Maria Brown since the show started in 2011.
The parade committee were pleased to announce that the Ashbourne resident would feature on the day: “Thank you for your time and commitment, Fiona.”
Ashbourne’s St Patrick’s Day Festival is to start a little earlier this year with the market and music commencing at 11am and the parade at 12.45pm.
Local singer Jenna Murphy will be performing on the stage prior to the parade starting, as well as traditional Irish band, Síbín. The 2024 parade is said to include more musical participants in the parade than previously ensuring it is a lively event.
The parade’s theme this year is ‘Sharing our Planet’ with many local groups, businesses and sports clubs featuring in it.
Like other years, a children’s funfair, artisan food stalls and many other attractions will also be available on the day.
The lead sponsor for this year’s parade is High Street Ashbourne.
The festival organisers have said that the many years of hard work by the members of the Ashbourne District Community Council (ADCC) is being recognised this year by having its members as Grand Marshals.
There were worrying signs that this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade may not happen due to the number of floats and walking groups being down compared to previous years, however the community came together to ensure that the event will proceed as planned and promises to be a great day out for all.
