MICHAEL Flatley is to serve as the grand marshal at Cork’s upcoming St Patrick’s Day parade, saying he is “truly honoured” to have been asked.
Lord of the Dance, Flatley, will lead the parade along with the Lord Mayor of Cork Catherine Clancy after accepting the invitation for event on Monday 17 March at 1pm.
The parade will travel through Cork City from the South Mall to the Grand Parade and is expected to draw more than 100,000 onlookers.
It will then travel along St. Patrick’s Street and will finish at Merchant’s Quay.
Flatley said: “I am truly honored to be chosen as grand marshal of the Cork St. Patrick’s Day parade, a county my family and I now call home.
“The parade is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and I’m looking forward to meeting musicians, Irish dancers and artistic groups from all over Cork and Ireland.
“I am really proud of Cork, it’s a thriving city with so much to offer residents and tourists alike.”
The Cork St. Patrick’s festival will run from March 15 to 17.
Artisan food markets, a free lunch for all, on-street entertainment and a fantastic live music-line up, will all feature at this year’s festival.
The three days of family entertainment will end with the Parade itself on St. Patrick’s Day, featuring street art inspired by legendary tales, pageantry, carnivals and up to 3000 community and voluntary groups.
Welcoming Flatley as the grand marshall, the Lord Mayor said: “We are thrilled to celebrate our national holiday with Michael Flatley.
"He was chosen for his outstanding contribution to entertainment in Ireland and Cork, and for promoting Irish culture internationally.
“The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Legends’ and Mr. Flatley certainly fits the bill. He is a true ambassador for our City”.
