Marching Bands for St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Boyle St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee are seeking Marching Bands to take part in our 2014 Parade scheduled for Monday 17th March. For information please call Alice on 086 367 7728 or Maura on 087 239 4831. The Boyle St. Patrick's Day Parade is a prestigious event in the area and the 2014 parade is being planned to be our 'best ever'.
• I always feel that St. Patrick's Day is a turning point in the year. We have had sunshine and some warmth on the day as traders and clubs showed themselves alive and well for the approaching summer...
Abolition of Town Councils
The Government is expected to publish the Local Government Bill today, according to an Irish Times report. The legislation will make way for the abolition for 80 town councils and a reduction in the number of councillors in the country from 1,650 to 950. Cabinet approval came on Tuesday.
Politicians defend the budget.
Locally Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan and Labour’s John Kelly say while some groups will feel that they’re being hit – overall it was fair. Deputy Feighan says that pensioners will lose the telephone allowance of €9.50, but other entitlements were not targeted.
• On Shannonside FM, pensioners, parents and young people hit out at the Budget cuts to allowances, the dole and the introduction of free GP care for under 5's.
"Micro Marriages"
A priest in Clare is offering his parishioners low key, recession-style weddings. According to the Irish Examiner, Fr. Conor Cunningham is introducing ‘community weddings’ which take place after Sunday mass and ‘micro weddings’ which include just the couple and their two witnesses.
• According to the Irish Examiner, Marriage rates are falling while the age of those tying the knot continues to rise.
