IT is hard to beat a traditional St Patrick’s Day for a wonderful day out with the kids, and Sunday’s parade in Cork city had all the essential elements.
There were fire trucks and flying saucers, drumming and diversity, even Elvis-quiffed spacemen from another planet.
Initially, I was worried it was going to be solely a parade of after-school activities you can send your kids to, with basketball, karate and inline skating all demonstrating their moves, but amazingly creative costumed performers soon turned up to sprinkle colour, imagination, and high-fives among the crowd.
These were committed street performers. I asked a girl convincingly dressed as a pink jellyfish where she came from, hoping to correctly namecheck her troupe. I was expecting to hear the name of the usual purveyors of street art, groups like Community Artlink, Cork Puppetry Company or Spraoi, but instead she very solemnly told me: “I come from Octopusland” Of course! How silly of me.
If you are a regular reader, you know I have a soft spot for bikes, so when the cycling posse turned up blasting Sweet Dreams by Annie Lennox, followed, very appropriately, by the Cycle for All group showcasing the myriad of adapted bikes - three person tandem, handcycles and tricycles - I was delighted.
Highlighting how facilitating inclusive cycling means a sweet ride can become a sweet dream for everyone actually got me a bit teary.
The Ukrainian group and Cumann Palaistineach na Mumhan group (who won the Spirit of the Parade award) also brought a tear to my eye and were sobering reminders that, despite the heartfelt applause from Irish parade crowds and widespread support for Gazans and Ukrainians, the miseries of war continue.
The Best Performers were deservedly the enormous UK samba group, Batala. Their rhythms got the whole crowd vibrating and whooping.
I think there should be more official prizes. How about Best Costume? For me, a draw between the vibrant orange of the Mexicans in Cork community and the resplendent New York Knights of Columbus Pipe and Drum Band.
Special commendation to the Bolivian mama who managed to lead a group, dance and push a buggy with her bum. What’s the Spanish for “multi-tasking mother”?
The prize for cutest participant goes to the cutie pie Filipina two-year-old dressed like all the grown-ups and holding her own right in the middle of the parade.
Although not part of the parade itself, the commiseration prize of the weekend goes to Cork Circus Factory, who had to cancel half of their performances at Elizabeth Fort on Saturday because of the dismal weather. All the rehearsals and preparations were waylaid by a depressing deluge.
Limerick has a permanent canopy over the Milk Market, allowing for cultural activity regardless of what the weather is doing. I think it’s time for Elizabeth Fort to get a giant umbrella too.
Biden not as Irish as he thinks
Shamrock is a powerful symbol of Ireland, but surprise, surprise, the bowl of shamrock didn’t move President Joe Biden enough to compel him to stop his country sending bombs and weapons to Israel, weaponry that has killed 30,000 civilians and counting in Gaza and enables Israel to starve more than a million more by blocking deliveries of humanitarian aid.
I wrote about the five traits that show President Biden is Irish to the core after his trumpeted visit to Ireland, but I’m beginning to think that he is not as Irish as he thinks.
Ireland’s support for Palestine is because of our history of oppression, and understanding that violence breeds more violence and radicalisation. Ireland knows that Israel cannot bomb its way to peace.
I don’t know how Leo Varadkar kept his diplomatic face in place throughout the week’s visit to the U.S. Most people in Ireland are despairing at the horrifying images and stories coming daily from Gaza and would find it hard to be diplomatic in the company of Israel’s biggest supporters.
The Taoiseach has said that people who have criticised the shamrock bowl ceremony in the White House misunderstand its significance and its context. All we can hope now is that rubbing shoulders with Irish people and politicians last week will transfer the true feelings of Ireland towards the plight of the Palestinians to Biden, and hasten securing a lasting ceasefire.
Palestine could really do with some luck of the Irish.
Jason Smyth lifts the glitterball
Dancing on the tables of a favoured hostelry might be how Paddy’s Day ended for you, but for me it ended watching the final of Dancing With The Stars on RTÉ1 with my kids.
I know critics scoff at the show as a pageant of fake tan and sequins, but an audience of half a million tune in every week for the wholesome entertainment.
Before I get out of bed in the morning, I put on my pair of glasses. I am what an optician might unprofessionally describe as ‘blind as bat’ (but without the nifty talent of bio-sonar to help me navigate).
I blame my bad vision on reading books as a child by the crack of light from the landing bulb when I should have been asleep.
I wouldn’t attempt to make a cup of tea without my glasses on, but legally blind, six-time Paralympic champion Jason Smyth danced complicated routines on live telly and improved so much over 11 weeks that he eventually got to lift the glitterball.
He is a lesson in perseverance and dedication and my kids were thrilled with his win. Bualadh bos mór.
Slán go fóill
After four years of writing this column, I’m taking a sos beag to recharge and allow my brain to focus on some of my other projects.
Local media is vitally important, so I hope to be back in the not-too-distant future.
While I’m gone, remember to tread lightly on our planet; it’s the only home we’ve got.
Slán go fóill.
Read More
Kathriona Devereux: I say 'Yes' to Family change on Friday, but 'No' to the Carer one More in this section
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