Pictures & Video by John Hopkins
WARRINGTON’S Irish community turned out in force for the annual St Patrick’s Day parade through the town centre, as victims of the IRA bomb attack on the town 31 years ago this coming week, were remembered with a minute of silence.
Mayor of Warrington Cllr Steve Wright, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols, Leader of Warrington Borough Council Cllr Hans Mundry and other borough cllrs. joined the St Patrick’s Day parade.
After a rallying call from organisers at the town’s Irish Club, to make it the “biggest and best ever” St Patrick’s Day parade a large number of walkers took part in the parade as it made its way to the River of Life on Bridge Street.
The Mayor and Charlotte Nichols MP with Cllr Hans Mundry and guests.
Following a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the IRA bombing on March 20, 1993, which claimed the lives of two local boys, three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry, onlookers sang a chorus of “Happy birthday” to the town’s Mayor, Cllr, Wright, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.
The IRA bombing on Bridge Street, which led to the creation of the unique Peace Centre following campaigning by Tim’s parents, Colin and Wendy Parry, was seen as a key moment in helping bring about peace and reconciliation following the Good Friday agreement.
While there is no official commemoration of the Warrington bombing on Bridge Street this week after last year’s 30th-anniversary commemoration event, there is an invitation event taking place at the Peace Centre.
Members of the public will be able to pay their own respects on March 20th at the River of Life on Bridge Street.
The town’s Irish club dressed for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations
Warrington Wolves’ mascot Wolfie joins in the celebrations
The Mayor and Mayoress with organisers
CLICK HERE for a gallery of photos
A joy as always to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with Warrington’s Irish community and friends! Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh 🇮🇪🍀🍻
More pics from the day on my Facebook page here: https://t.co/HV1Vje5faF pic.twitter.com/MxFFcBIVMm
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) March 17, 2024
Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh from Warrington Irish Club, where the Guinness is flowing after the parade and the amazing young dancers from Robinson Irish Dance Academy are getting some last minute performance practice in before the World Irish Dancing Championships! 🇮🇪🍀 pic.twitter.com/gTU7JVZYdI
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) March 17, 2024
