It’s a fitting tribute.

The descendants of Cork’s martyred Lord Mayors Tomás MacCurtain and Terence McSwiney will make up the grand marshal group leading this year’s Cork St Patricks’ Day Parade on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020.

The great-granddaughter of Tomás MacCurtain, Leah-Mai Hartnett-MacCurtain, pictured below with her grandmother Fionnuala MacCurtain, will be among the group at the head of the parade, which will kick off at 1pm before winding its way through the streets of Cork.

The theme of this year’s parade is ‘A City Rising 1920-2020’ marking 100 years since the Burning of Cork by British forces.

Credit: Clare Keogh

Street Art company, Spraoi, will be celebrating Cork’s proximity to the sea and our port, bringing Lir to travel along the city’s streets, accompanied by creatures from the deep, while Cork Puppetry Company will breathe life into Morrigan, the goddess of war, along with the ancient Fomorians who will rise to defend the city from the Burning of Cork.

The golden age of cinema

Meanwhile, Cork Community Art Link will bring the magic of the silver screen to life as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of Blackpool’s Lido Cinema. A giant film set will move through the streets and recreate the golden age of movies, complete with a director, make-up artists, technicians and camera crew.

A wide range of groups representing the rich culture of this city will take part in the Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including the Cork Barrack Street Band, Mexican Community in Cork and Rebel Wheelers.

International groups will include the Gillette College Energy City Voices from Wyoming and the Cork-Cologne Twinning Society.