No 1067 Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd March 2025
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The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper - WITH THE LARGEST LOCAL CIRCULATION
SOPHIA WELLNESS CENTRE See our advertisement in the centre pages he Cabo Roig St. Patrick’s Day Parade has firmly established itself as one of the biggest events on Spain's Costa Blanca, drawing a diverse mix of locals and tourists who are all eager to celebrate Irish culture.
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With each passing year, the parade grows in popularity, highlighting the vibrant spirit of St. Patrick's Day. This year's parade, held yesterday, on the Sunday before March 17th, attracted around 25,000 spectators. Although there were concerns about the weather in the days leading up to the event, these fears proved to be unfounded. The weather was far more cooperative than expected, allowing the parade to go ahead as planned and providing a perfect backdrop for the much-anticipated celebrations. The parade featured over 60 entries, including Irish dancers, pipe bands, classic cars, motorbikes, and elaborately decorated floats. Many of these floats were sponsored by local businesses, and the theme was centred around Irish heritage, with performances showcasing both traditional and contemporary Irish culture.
SUNNY SKIES AND IRISH SPIRIT AS C A B O R O I G C E L E B R AT E S S T PAT R I C K ’ S D AY
The Torrevieja Pipes and Drums once again led the procession, setting the tone for a lively, festive atmosphere. As the parade made its way through the streets, the crowd cheered and clapped, further adding to the sense of community spirit that has come to define the event. This year’s Grand Marshal was Charlie Redmond, the legendary Gaelic footballer from the Dublin team, who was joined at the front of the parade by local and Irish politicians. The parade also featured performances from marching bands, music ensembles, dance groups, and carnival performers. The parade, which lasted about 90 minutes, circled the Cabo Roig Strip, and once it concluded, the festivities continued throughout the afternoon and into the night. Bars and restaurants hosted parties, serving traditional Irish food like bacon and cabbage and Irish drinks, including Guinness. Reports from the event highlighted the family-friendly atmosphere and the enthusiastic participation of both locals and expatriates, demonstrating the unique blend of Irish culture and Spanish warmth. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the small organising committee the Cabo Roig St. Patrick's Day Parade has once again proved to be a wonderful celebration of community and Irish culture.
SEE PHOTOS ON PAGES 12 & 13