This year sees the St. Patrick's Day parade (Tuesday, March 17th @ 2pm) take a new step. The committee has decided to add a "féile" atmosphere, a sort of Mardi Gras feel to the day. There will be plenty of colour and festival fun and they hope the whole town will get behind the event and make it a special day. They are bringing in Macnas type props like a 30' high dragon, a dinosaur, inflatables, multi-colour costumes etc. They are hoping that participants will focus on people in floats as opposed to mechanical and vehicular effects. There will be a collection of local groups, school bands, business floats and even the Elvery's giant elephant will make an appearance!! Details will be posted on www.facebook.com/PatricksDayCastlebar.

There will be a cash prize for a photo competition too. All you have to do to enter is take a photo of parade/féile and upload to the FB page. Click like for page too and you're in!!

The committee will be holding a window display competition for the businesses too. Just dress your window in a "Shop local this St. Patrick's Day" and you're in. There will be special attention given to windows using the ‘Cúpla Focal' and Gnó Mhaigh Eo have come on board to a offer a special prize along with the cash prize already on offer. Lá Fhéile Pádraig is our national feast day, and what better way to celebrate our country than with our native tongue! Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam - a country without a language, is a country without a soul. Anyone who wants help with translations can contact the Chamber at chamber@castlebar.ie or gno@gnomhaigheo.ie directly. Beidh fáilte romhat!

A huge new idea and addition will be "Féile an Chaisleáin", a concert/fiesta that will take place on Market Sq. from 12pm. Local musicians, local dance school, the Humbert Céilí Band, street entertainers, bouncy castles, face-painters, a magician etc. will all be there performing. Beidh ceol & craic, damhsa agus spraoi ann. We invite any buskers, jugglers, singers to join in on the fun on the street to add to this unique event. The music will stop while the parade passes and after it, for about an hour, the céilí band will play and there will be an opportunity for all you céilí and set dancers to get your steps together.

Volunteers will be needed to help with marshalling the event and details can be had by ringing the Chamber at 094 9024845. Bígí linn do Lá Fhéile Pádraig i gCaisleán an Bharraigh!