This year’s London Saint Patrick’s Parade (Sunday 16th March 2008) started from Hyde Park Corner at 12
noon passed Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and finished in Whitehall.

The Parade included approx 4,000 participants made up of marching bands colourful costumes, community groups, Irish dancing schools, pageantry and floats with Irish music, costumes and characters.

Thousands line the streets to watch and cheer on this colourful spectacle. We are happy to report we had a large walking contingency from Carlow who proudly marched behind the Carlow Association Banner. The weather was typically Irish “wind and rain” but it added to the atmosphere and we were all kept on our toes (literally) trying hard to keep our new “Carlow colours” proudly flying high.

The reason being that the GLA on the day made available 33 flags representing the 32 counties of Ireland plus a flag to represent all 2nd Generation Irish (London Irish Flag). Those counties that were represented at the Parade collected their flag and proudly displayed it with their own individual Banners. A great day was had by all and it was an opportunity to meet old and new friends alike. Our thanks to TJ, Margaret and Laura Kelly to who travelled over from Carlow especially to join us in the parade and to Jim O’Neill a life long member of the Association who never fails to turn up come rain or shine.