DRUM-POUNDING, flame-shooting, pistol-wielding clowns converged on Galway city last night as the annual Macnas arts festival parade lit up the river Corrib.
The "assault" on a town ruled by marshmallow-thumbed King Du Washawanna and his wife, Queen Free, was accompanied by a spectacular firework display which attracted thousands of spectators.
The parody of our times related the tale of a city that could not sleep, a 24/7 party town spinning, flashing, beeping, and ill-prepared for the evil plans of Col Chuckles and his horde of Clownmandos.
In their wake, the invaders left a desolate landscape, where, according to the parade planners, "there's not much to do . . . unless you like tea and have the channels . . ."
However, the event almost fell foul of real live politics, when the parade licence was delayed at local authority level. Plans to grant the licence last Monday were disrupted by a row over car-clamping policy and practice.
Independent city councillor Daniel Callanan had insisted on a response to his queries about application of fines imposed on fellow local authority members. A row erupted, the meeting was abandoned, and Macnas was left sweating until a special meeting last Friday. Fine Gael mayor Padraig Conneely said he was "prepared to stay all night if that was what it took to get the event licence issued". In the heel of the hunt, the application was approved in less than a minute.
"The parade is so important to the people of Galway and to all our visitors, with 80,000 or more attending it and I simply could not stand by, as mayor of Galway, and not allow it to go ahead," he said.
This year's parade was directed by Debbie Wright and designed by Matthew Guinnane, and influenced by consultation with a number of community groups. Some 300 performers included a number of volunteers.
The street theatre troupe, which works between temporary premises at the Fisheries Field close to NUI Galway and the Black Box, is seeking a permanent home to continue its work.
During this year's festival, a number of people visiting the visual arts exhibitions on Merchant's Road - by Artspace, Joni Mitchell and Bill Viola - have appealed for that premises to become a permanent gallery.
The arts festival continues this week, and a veritable "fringe" programme is emerging with the work of companies like Moonfish Theatre, and musicians and groups like Aindrias de Staic and Cuckoo Savante. The Saw Doctors have two sell-out gigs planned for Salthill later this week.