LIMERICK: YOU'RE A Starwinner Leanne Moore was the main attraction at Limerick's St Patrick's Day Parade, as 50,000 people lined the streets of the city centre.
Rugby hero Anthony Foley, who was grand marshal, shared the limelight with the 23-year-old singer who received a rousing welcome home after her win in the RTÉ talent show.
"I'm absolutely stuck for words and I'm never stuck for something to say. I'm just totally overwhelmed, I never thought I'd win, thank you so much to everybody who voted for me," said Leanne.
The Limerick-born singer won €50,000 in cash and €10,000 in recording equipment on Sunday night. She received a standing ovation yesterday from local dignitaries before she performed in front of the review stand.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, who was among the VIPs, said he was one of the many who voted for Leanne.
"It was very well deserved and a fantastic victory for Limerick. I'm sure Leanne has a tremendous future ahead of her. Usually when I vote for people they win!" he declared.
Mr O'Dea, who with Séamus Brennan was one of only two Cabinet Ministers to remain in Ireland for St Patrick's Day, said he would never miss the national holiday in his native city.
"I enjoy this far more than if I was in some other part of the globe like New York or Sydney. This to me is just the real St Patrick's Day, the real Limerick and the real Ireland and it's great to be here and great to be part of it," he said.
Limerick city had the largest military parade in the State yesterday, with more than 200 military personnel participating along with six armoured personnel carriers and a spectacular fly-past by the Air Corps.
The parade also boasted the biggest tricolour in Ireland, which was 60ft long and was carried by students from Árdscoil Rís Secondary School.
The theme of the parade was the United Colours of Limerick and several multicultural groups including the Polish Cultural and Business Association, the Nigerian Association of Limerick and the Limerick Filipino Association took part. Mayor of Limerick Ger Fahy, who sat in the review stand with the Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray, said: "I am delighted to be here today to embrace the best that multicultural Limerick has to offer all its citizens as a modern and vibrant city."
The mayor, who had been invited by mayor of London Ken Livingstone to attend the St Patrick's Day Banquet there, said he regretted not being able to take up the offer but felt it would have been inappropriate to be away, "especially with the revival of the International Band Parade. I wanted to show my support and that of my councillors", he explained.
KATHRYN HAYES