RECLAIMING the St Patrick's Day parade for the community was the aim of Cork Community Art Link, and to judge from the crowd's enthusiastic reaction, they achieved it. They also won first prize from the more commercially-orientated organisers, the Cork Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Wicker-men, straw-men, giant hands, snake women, fantastical bicycles, tribal drums, hand-dyed costumes and dozens of people decked out in recycled plastic bags, tin cans and plastic bottles acted out a contest between nature and pollution to the delight of almost everyone.
More than 100 people were involved in designing, making and staging the brainchild of the Community Art Link and its director, Ms Una Feeley.
Part of a FAS scheme, the group spent £600 on glue, timber and paint for the costumes, topped up by sponsorships from several Cork companies.
However, the organisers were not able to award prizes for the best traditional, sporting or high-tech entries. "There was not an Irish dancer in sight at this year's parade," pointed out Ms Ruth Chamberlain, representing the organisers.
In Macroom, Mr Fergie Sutherland, trainer of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Call, led the parade. He received an enthusiastic reception. Afterwards he was presented with a crystal figurine of a horse's head.