As festivities kicked off in Cabo Roig, at mainland Europe’s largest parade, Sunday brought us a perfect St. Patrick’s Day – clear blue skies, a shining sun, a day full of promise, and rich with tradition.
There was green decor and shamrocks galore, as well as lots of Irish smiles, as thousands packed the streets of Cabo Roig for the area’s 11th St. Patrick’s Day parade, once again celebrating the legacy of Irish culture in Orihuela Costa.
The fact that the event was another major success was with thanks to a ‘hard core’ of businesses who came together to dress the streets and the parade route, many offering further entertainment and specials to ensure the party continued well beyond the Spring afternoon.
From pub to pub up and down the strip, the picture was much the same, a sea of green, smiles, clinking glasses, music and, of course, enthusiastic crowds.
The dozens of colourful comparsas and eccentric floats, a record number we were told, well in excess of previous years, told the story of Spanish, Irish and International camaraderie in this small corner of the country, as they, once again, honoured Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.
Cabo Roig again boasted the largest parade in mainland Europe where former Irish and EU politician Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher was the grand marshal.
“It’s a huge honour – I’m absolutely thrilled,” the grandson of Paddy ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, admitted.
“The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is simply just part of what we are and part of what we do best, celebrate. It is a rich part of our history, culture and heritage.”
As people flocked from miles around, eager to take a place by the roadside, to observe the spectacle of colour and the carnival atmosphere, over 40 bikers, quads and classic cars from local clubs did their traditional two laps of honour.
The parade itself was led off by Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, followed by St Patrick himself, in the guise of local resident, Jose Antonio Marcia del Amo, the one individual who has been ever present in the 11 years of this parade. Members of the military who had served with the United Nations were next, after which came the Parade Marshall, Councillor for the Coast Manuel Mestre, guests and members of the local Irish community.
Fifty invited veterans from the Irish Army, then joined the thousand strong parade as they marched proudly along with their standards, followed by an Irish Army pipe band, floats from many of the local bars, children from Footwork and Totally Dance Studios, a Chinese dragon, Sunshine Radio, two batacuda associations, stilt walkers, half a dozen cartoon characters and at least ten or more Comparsas, all donned in their wonderful plumed costumes, as they too danced along the route to the accompaniment of loud applause from the crowded pavements.
As a lot of green energy ran through Cabo Roig, there were at least 20 different nationalities included in the two-hour parade and, once again, the Irish Community did us all proud, the organisers, the individuals, the bars, restaurants and many other businesses that worked so hard to make the event another overwhelming success.
It truly was a joy to watch, a pleasure I have no doubt that gave great satisfaction, to those who were directly involved and to the many who were taking part.
“Once again Cabo Roig had a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Great crowd, great atmosphere, great bands and pageants. It was amazing to see so many people out enjoying the spectacle,” said local resident Brian Burton.
Mary Stevenson and her partner Lizzy Beaumont, have lived in the area for almost 15 years and said they enjoy the community spirit that erupts during the St Patrick’s Day parade.
“We have to make sure we get here early to grab a nice spot on the front of ‘the strip’ to watch and cheer along all the amazing groups who give such a wonderful and colourful display,” Stevenson said. “This year it was clearly evident just how much hard work the organisers have put in.”
