Political dimension to this year's parade

Galway: Demonic serpents, defiant trees and delighted drummers took to the streets of Galway yesterday to mark a century of St Patrick's Day parades in the city, reports Lorna Siggins

Although "Priomhchathair na Gaeilge" was the theme, many of the 60-odd groups participating gave only a passing nod to the Erse; and in unseasonal conditions, who was going to notice? An estimated 30,000 people watched the "spectacle" as it worked its way from University College Hospital and the Cathedral to the viewing stand at the top of Eyre Square, where deputy mayor and Progressive Democrats councillor, Ms Terry O'Flaherty, officiated.

Although there is a belief that Macnas should be banned from deserting their native city - as they do annually for the patron saint's festival - community art was well represented with a battle between St Patrick and enormous inflatable snakes, directed by Macnas founder, Paraic Breathnach, and a Viking-re-enactment by the Colours Street Theatre Group. There was also a political dimension to this year's parade: members of the Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW) had wrapped themselves in what resembled a large white bandage, as they urged people to "give peace a chance".

Following the alliance were members of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign and both groups received a round of applause as they reached Galway County Hall.

The Galway Environmental Alliance had its own message, as it bore cardboard trees of various species in protest at re-landscaping plans for Eyre Square. "This ornamental plum is thirsty"cried one of the supporters, as she spotted a familiar face in the crowd and ducked out. The alliance has already nicknamed the city centre "Bare Square", following An Bord Pleanála approval late last year for Galway City Council's plan, which could involve the axing of some 80 per cent of the existing 100 trees.

International groups invited this year were the St Francis Pipe Band from Glasgow and Cercle Brizeau, a traditional folk dancing group from Lorient, the Breton city twinned with Galway. Complementing the Breton contribution were last year's award winners, the members of the Galway Early Music group in medieval dress, while contemporary music was represented by the drummers attached to the Mike Arrigan School.

Special guests were the victorious captains of the Galway Under-21 All-Ireland winning football team and the Galway Junior Ladies All-Ireland winning team, Joe Bergin and Marie O'Connell. The Special Olympics was marked by the St Joseph's Special School, while one of the most imaginative displays, including lifesize forks, spoons and a bishop giving benedictions while having breakfast in bed, came from the Blue Teapot Theatre Group attached to the Brothers of Charity.

The Galway City Council's own community arts initiative involved Galway Youth Federation affiliates, St Anann's National school and Scoil Bhride.

The Garda Sub-Aqua Club continued a search of the river Corrib in Galway last night for a teenager who was seen falling off Quincentennial bridge. The youth was one of two who fell into the water shortly after lunchtime yesterday. The alarm was raised by passers-by. One of the pair was rescued and was taken to University College Hospital, Galway, suffering from shock.