Toowoomba’s St Patrick’s Day parade one of the biggest ever

Hundreds turn out to celebrate Irish culture and recognise one of the country’s patron saints.

IN the 40-odd years he’s been taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Toowoomba, Tomas Guerin reckoned Sunday’s march was the biggest.

A celebration of Irish culture and recognising one of its patron saints, Saint Patrick, hundreds turned out to the Irish Club on Sunday to take part in the annual march.

Marchers dressed in costume or their favourite shade of green snaked their way through Station, Margaret, Ruthven and Russell Streets, stopping traffic as they passed.

Sunday also marked the first time the Toowoomba parade has included vehicles in its procession.

“I think given the last 12 months we really wanted to make it a special day,” Mr Guerin said.

Mr Guerin, who is the president of the Darling Downs Irish Club, said there were plenty of things to like about the day, in addition to gathering with friends at the Irish Club.

“It’s an opportunity for different groups – not just the Irish Club itself but other Irish-affiliated groups of people – to come together,” he said.

Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century.

While the parade took place on Sunday, St Patrick’s Day itself will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 17.