The Civic Service and Festival Eucharist at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral as well as the Reception at the Bishop’s Palace to celebrate St Patrick’s Day took place again this year. As in previous years the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton and Mrs Susan Colton, invited nearly 300 representatives of civic and community life in Cork City and County to their home to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. 

The civic attendance was led by Cork’s first citizen, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, who is joined by Councillors, former Lords Mayor of Cork, and representatives of the City Council. Also represented were the Defence Forces, the Naval Service, and An Garda Síochána.

To commemorate Bishop Colton’s 25th anniversary as Bishop this year, he and the Lord Mayor also planted an oak tree in the Bishop’s Palace grounds.

Carrigrohane Union organised a family event to prepare for St Patrick’s Day at which everyone could do arts and crafts and bake biscuits for the day.

In Youghal Union of Parishes, parishioner Ken Brooke was the Grand Marshall of the Youghal St Patrick’s Day Parade.

For the fist time in it’s 200 year history, the St James’ Church in Mallow joined the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Mallow. Parishioners walked behind a new banner, which was blessed at the Eucharist earlier that day.

Carrigaline Union joined their local St Patrick’s Day Parade and the Rev. Canon Elaine Murray blessed the Shamrock in Crosshaven.

In Kilgarriffe Union, the Rev. Kingsley Sutton showed everyone how to make St Patrick’s Day cookies with only three ingredients at their Family Fun Service for St Patrick’s Day.