Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners 2023
Following the success of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the three-day festival, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’Leary presented prizes to the Parade category winners in the Garden Room of Waterford’s Medieval Museum.
Commenting on the parade, the Mayor commended the groups for making a fantastic effort with their entries, “I was so very impressed with the range of diversity and the variety of groups taking part. We had sports groups, theatre, music and arts groups and a wide range of new community groups from countries all over the world.”
He also thanked the community and voluntary sectors saying, “The community and voluntary sectors play a vital role in service provision to many people in Ireland today. These groups and organisations support the young and the old, the weak and the vulnerable, the marginalised and the disadvantaged and provide invaluable training to our youngsters as they endeavour to fulfil their potential in their various pursuits.”
Waterford City and County Council Festival co-ordinator Johnny Codd thanked all the participants for making the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade one of the most successful to date. “With over 80 groups and almost 2,000 participants in the parade, it was a fantastic spectacle. The Quays and the Mall were filled with music, colour and fun and the energy of all the groups was infectious.
“Despite the rain on the morning, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants or the onlookers along the parade route and already we are looking forward to seeing what 2024 holds for St. Patrick’s Day in Waterford.”
The overall winner of the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade was The Southland Sirens Roller Derby, with their Copper Coast entry.
Two Community Awards were presented to Waterford Credit Union, who worked with the City of Waterford Brass, and to The Waterford Filipino-Irish Community. Waterford Youth Arts won best conceived float and special commendations went to the Waterford Athletic Club, the Waterford Marine Search and Rescue and St Joseph’s AFC.
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Photos by Noel Browne
1. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Overall Entry Award winners, Southland Sirens Roller Derby with their certificate, included were Lou O’Neill, Jim Morrissey, Sheena Mullally, Kathleen Shanahan, Sam Marchant and Deirdre Taylor.
2. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Community Award winners, City of Waterford Brass/ Waterford Credit Union with their certificate, included John, Adam and Daniel Mernin and Julie Quinlan from City of Waterford Brass and Brian Fanning and Sheila Comerford from Waterford Credit Union.
3. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Community Award winners, Waterford Filipino Irish Community with their certificate, included were Tomas Alicay, Gigi Figuracion, Sarah Malone, Gelly Meredith, Velle Ursa and Ophelia Sedicol.
4. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Theatre Award to Waterford Youth Arts.
5. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Special Commendation Award to Trevor Walsh, Waterford Athletic Club.
6. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Special Commendation Award to Waterford Marine Search & Rescue, included were Declan Barry, Lydia Grant, Craig Smith, Mark Condron, Deedo Dunphy and Graham Seery.
7. The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. John O’Leary is pictured presenting the Waterford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Special Commendation Award to St. Joseph’s AFC, included were Billy, Harry and Ava Flynn, Terry Walsh and Ian Galgey.
