A Grammy-nominated singer is looking forward to reconnecting with her Clare roots this St. Patrick’s Day.
Ennis native Maura O’Connell, who’s performed alongside the likes of Dolly Parton, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton over an illustrious career, will serve as Grand Marshall in this year’s parade in the county town.
It seems ongoing public realm works in Ennis won’t act as a deterrent for this year’s festivities on March 17th.
Plans have been revealed for marking the highly-anticipated day, with the parade once again set to be the centrepiece of events in the county town.
Pre-parade entertainment will kick-off at 10:15am in the Abbey Street Car Park where Clare FM’s Colum McGrath will act as MC and a Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann ensemble will be giving a performance.
In addition, Scoil Uí Ruairc Irish Dancing School will take to the stage at Steele’s Terrace.
This year’s events will be attended by a delegation from Ennis’s twinning town Langenfeld in Germany headed up by Mayor Frank Schneider.
Mayor of Ennis and Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly believes the day will be a chance to further strengthen the bond between the two twinned areas.
The procession will begin at Áras Contae an Chláir at 11am and will traverse the town via New Road, Newbridge Road, Club Bridge, Abbey Street Car Park, Bank Place and Bindon Street.
Music lovers will be thrilled to see Maura O’Connell, who currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, leading the parade as Grand Marshall.
The former Dé Danann, Cúl Aodha choir and Tumbleweed member grew up in Garraunakilla in Ennis and worked in her family’s fish shop, Costello’s, in the Market before beginning her music career.
Maura says given the amount of love she has for her hometown, it’s a great honour to be asked to play such a pivotal role in this year’s proceedings.
You can listen to the full interview here:
