ONE THOUSAND children were given a day out by Dublin taxi drivers yesterday as part of their annual outing for children with disabilities.
The event involved over 500 taxi drivers, who took the day off to bring children to Leopardstown for a day of fun. The drivers call it "The Great Day" and most of the children seemed to agree as they danced and sang during the opening ceremony at Parnell Square.
The event was launched by the Republic of Ireland soccer manager, Mick McCarthy, the world boxing champion, Steve Collins, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Brendan Lynch.
Dublin taxi drivers started the special event 36 years ago after a passenger, who had a disabled son, told a taxi man how seldom her child was taken on an outing.
This led to five taximen bringing a group of children to Red Island in Skerries.
It has grown every year since and the organisers claim it has never rained during the outing over the years.
The drivers collected the children from various hospitals and special schools early yesterday.
Each driver had a number of children in his car and many of the taxi drivers carried some of the more seriously physically disabled children to the platform area in Parnell Square.
The crowd was entertained by the pop group Mytown and Mick McCarthy and Steve Collins signed hundreds of autographs.
Many were accompanied by nurses. "The children look forward to this day all year and they really get on with the taxi drivers. It's brilliant," said Ms Chris Whelan, who was minding children from St Michael's House in Raheny.
Over the last decade, the outing has raised over £150,000 for various charities.
All taxi drivers in Dublin contributed £5 to the outing fund and there were more taxi drivers offering their services than were needed.
Mr Johnnie Walker, chairman of the organising committee, said. "The taxi drivers love the day and really like to see the kids having fun."
Mr Larry O'Neill, a taxi man for more than five years, said the outing was the one day when everyone was happy with taxi drivers.
Mick McCarthy said the outing was a "great occasion", with both the children and drivers enjoying the day.
The Lord Mayor said he was happy that so many parents had decided to bring their children along.
The parade of taxi drivers, with the children in the back seats, set off down O'Connell Street to the sound of beeping horns.