Grand Marshal revealed for St Patrick's Day Parade in Athy

A local legend who recently reached the grand old age of 100 years will lead Athy’s St Patrick’s Day parade through the town on March 17th.

Athy Town Promoters has revealed the esteemed Grand Marshalls for the highly anticipated 2025 parade, including Betty O’Donnell who for years ran The Gem on Duke Street in Athy and celebrated her centenary last August.

Betty has spent most of her life in Athy, having first arrived there several years before the end of World War II to take over a business with her late husband Jimmy. The Gem, which was in business until March 2020, was a local landmark; a popular newsagent, stationery and book shop which several generations will remember fondly.

Betty celebrated her centenary on the 29th August 2024, receiving a letter from President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins to mark the momentous occasion.

In his ‘Eye on the Past’ column in the Kildare Nationalist, local historian Frank Taaffe recounted: ‘Always good natured, Betty managed over the decades to involve herself in the social and community life of the town. Elected Lady Captain and later Lady President of Athy Golf Club, she managed both honorary positions with distinction.’

Betty’s name, he said, ‘is synonymous with that of ‘The Gem’. Both are part of the living lore of a community which treasures not only those native to Athy, but the many who like Betty and myself came as strangers to live in the South Kildare town’.

Alongside Betty, the Ardscoil na Tríonóide senior team will also serve as Grand Marshals for this year’s parade.

The Athy school’s Senior Football Team had a historic run in the Brother Bosco Cup (Leinster Senior A Football Competition) this year. The team have quality all over the field from a tight strong defence to a quick and versatile attack. This same team won the South Leinster A Football Final in 2023 and were Leinster A Junior finalists that year.  

This year’s Championship started in the group stage where they opened with a draw against Knockbeg and beat Marist in the second match thanks to goals by Darragh Farrell, Páidí Kelly and Evan Doogue. In the third match, they blew away Ashbourne CS on a score line of 7-16 to 0-1. This meant the team topped the group on 5 points and had a home round of 16 match.  

In the knockout stage, they beat Ardee CS on a score line of 5-12 to 3-9 through goals by Harry Grainger, Colm Moran, Sam Lynch, Evan Doogue and Páidí Kelly. This set up a Kildare derby in the quarter final against Naas CBS who had won five of the last six titles, including winning the cup the last three years. It brought the best out of Ardscoil na Tríonóide and they were always in charge as they won the match 0-13 to 1-3.

In the semi-final they played Moate CS and put in a commanding performance to win the match 0-12 to 0-4. As a result, Ardscoil na Tríonóide reached the Brother Bosco Cup Final for the first time ever in the school’s history. Ardscoil na Tríonóide played Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar in the final in Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore on Saturday the 8th of February. The match went to extra time where the team lost 3-10 to 1-13. Even after this heartbreak, it has been a historical year for the team and the school for reaching this prestigious final. 

There are seven clubs represented on this school team. The players range from Athy, St. Joseph’s, Castlemitchell, St. Laurence’s, Ballylinan, Barrowhouse and Rheban.  

Ardscoil na Tríonóide Panel: Oisín Groarke, Daniel Henry, Mark Grufferty, Liam Byrne, Cameron Pedreschi, James Donnelly, Calum Keaveny, Eoin Johnson, Robbie Murphy, Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Sam Lynch, Harry Grainger, Darragh Farrell, Páidí Kelly, Shane Baldwin, Eoin Coffey, Cian O’Rourke, Roán Brennan, Seán Rowan, Niall Hickey, Tom Brophy, Conor Byrne, Ben Howe, Glenn Doyle, Max Conway, Bobby Walsh, Cormac Doolan, Tom Kelly, Rory Chanders, Dean Hyland, Matthew Nelligan, Logan Brennan, Fionn Whelan, John William Grufferty, Jack McCabe, Evan Doogue and Seamus Lynch. Management team: Michael Healy and Tom Nolan.  

Organised by Athy Town Promoters, this year's St Patrick’s Day festivities will take place throughout the town on Monday 17th March at 3pm. The theme for 2025 is 'Pulling Together,' celebrating unity and community spirit.

Clubs, community groups, charities, sporting groups, tourism organisations, schools, businesses or even groups of friends with an idea for a float are urged to book their spot. Contact Patricia Berry on 086 8470232 or pberry@kildarecoco.ie or any member of Athy Town Promoters.This exciting event is free and supported by Athy Municipal District local property tax (LPT) funding.