Over 8,000 people are expected to take part in the main event in Dublin but for one Irish town, potholes are preventing them from staging their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Organisers of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Athboy, Co. Meath say that they have been forced to cancel the event, which was due to feature over 50 floats and bands, due to potholes along the route.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Treasurer Frances Walsh said the uneven surface and pitted surface made “the main street a disaster area”.
“We were afraid the floats on the tractors and trailers might not be safe. A playgroup said they might have to ask parents of the children for their permission. We had to explain the situation to the underwriters and their advice was not to hold it.
“It was to be our 30th anniversary and we had the silver bands booked from Navan and Kentstown as well as Athboy.”
Looks like Athboy locals will have to travel further afield on Paddy’s Day…
Locals say the council have been digging up the main street for months to upgrade sewerage and water systems but also say that freezing temperatures have led to the deterioration of the route.
Meath County Council has begun a €1.5m programme of works to reinstate the road and footpaths, which it says will take 32 weeks to complete.
Meanwhile, while the St Patrick’s Day parade committee said it had no alternative route because there was only the one thoroughfare in the town. It said it “guarantees a parade of all parades next year”.
Maybe some of the €1.5 million should be spent on a bit over over-time…
