Castlebar parade to be moved to March 20

THE annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Castlebar is set be be switched from the traditional March 17 date to Sunday, March 20.

Members of the parade committee in the county town are to meet on Wednesday night to ratify the decision.

The change is being made due to the involvement of Castlebar Mitchels in the All-Ireland Club SFC final against Ballyboden St. Enda's at Croke Park on Thursday, March 17. 

A similar ruling was made two years ago when Mitchels also qualified for the final. 

There may be some opposition to the decision locally, as indicated by a number of recent social media posts, but it is generally felt it is the correct course of action to take.

A spokesperson for the committee said: 'We are hoping the Andy Merrigan Cup will be on display at the parade. That would be really something special.'