HERCULE Heritage and Culture through Libraries in Europe

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Skyfest 2000

"For many years, St. Patrick's Day has been a day for people to dressed up in costume and walk, dance and sing their way through the streets in Dublin. In the last few years, the parade has grown much bigger with many new floats, dances and costumes from many different countries. This year, the parade was part of a big festival which started on Thursday March 16th and lasted all weekend until March 19th."

Text by Lisa Berry

Drawings by Amanda McKiernan, Lisa Dempsey and Donna Stokes

Deirdre Byrne tells us what she saw at the parade this year 2000:

"St. Patrick's Day was on Friday, and this is how it started. First, there were a lot of old fashioned cars from the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. One green car with no roof passed, and in it was the actress who plays the character Mrs. Doyle, in the television programme Fr. Ted.

Then the Lord Mayor's horse and carraige came and the horses were dressed up in fancy dress. After that, about forty or fifty motor bikes passed. They were all very clean and very shiney. Then, some American bands started playing. About twenty minutes later a band who were from China arrived. The girls in the band wore beautiful blue clothes.

Then a big water dragon came, and some men brought the dragon into the audience and everyone got a fright. After the big water dragon, came a spider another dragon and a vampire. After that, I saw two girls who sang in a band and they were wearing blue wigs. They looked very funny. "

Skyfest 2000

"On Sunday 19th March the Skyfest was held. There were a lot of excellent fireworks to be seen at the Custom's House. It lasted from eight o'clock until half past eight. It started off with just smoke and then a big bang was heard when tonnes of fireworks went off.
 
 
The colours were magnificent.The fireworks went up very high. Some even looked as though they were about to come down on top of everybody. Some spun and spiralled into the sky. It was dark, so it was perfect for the occasion. Some of the fireworks were loud, and you could not hear anything else. Some were like flowers and they were beautiful. I think I speak for every body when I say it was brilliant."

Text by Nathalie Lambe and drawing by Donna O'Flannagan