Carlow and Kilkenny continue to feel the effects of St Patrick’s Day festivities

St. Patrick’s Day may be over for another year, but its effects should last for a while.

The first real National Day celebration took place last Thursday with at least ten parades and other activities across Carlow and Kilkenny.

Kilkenny hosted a six-day festival which ended last night.

Festival director Marian Flannery said record numbers were on the streets, telling KCLR News that the main event, the parade led by Irish Paralympian Mary Fitzgerald, drew a crowd of 40,000, more than double what was expected:

“We would normally have 15-20,000. So the Gardaí estimated somewhere in the region of 40,000”

Honored to be Grand Marshall for the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Kilkenny! An incredible day! 💚☘️🇮🇪@stpatrickskk pic.twitter.com/ftLAIBh3Ah

— Mary FitzGerald (@_MaryFitzG) March 19, 2022

Overall, it is estimated that up to 100,000 people stopped in the city between Wednesday and Sunday.

#Stpatricksdayparade #Kilkenny pic.twitter.com/9BrTqOL06x

— St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Kilkenny (@stpatrickskk) March 17, 2022

And, while many traveled to these areas for the festivities, deputations from Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils represented Ireland in New York.

Carlow Local Authority Cathaoirleach Councilor Fintan Phelan was among them:

“This year has been fantastic in that Carlow was right at the top of the parade, we were right behind the Kerry Association, it was because the centenary of the execution of Kevin Barry was in 2020 but there is haven’t had a parade since then and the Carlow Association still march with a Kevin Barry banner so because of that we were at the top of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade”.

Nice to meet @NYCMaire Eric Adams and represent @Carlow_Co_Co
like Cathaoirleach at his Gracie Mansion residence! #Carlow pic.twitter.com/C5GlPANUNp

— Fintan Phelan (@Fintan_Phelan) March 18, 2022

He added that they have also been featured on American television:

“Kevin Barry’s story and the connection to Carlow was featured on US national television, which was a great respect for Kevin Barry, but it was also fantastic to see the Carlow association promoted across the United States. “.

Meanwhile, there has been outrage in Carlow following the depiction of a recent local death at two parades across the country.

Peadar Doyle, in his 60s, was pronounced dead after emergency services were called to Hosey Post Office in January, where he was taken by two other people.

Videos and photos showing how people dressed in parades in Belmullet in County Mayo and Kilfenora in County Clare have drawn the ire of many here, with calls for an apology over disrespect after that many were appalled.