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The Basingstoke Irish Society celebrating St Patrick’s Day in 2002.

Like so many before and after him, Fermoy-native John O’Mahony immigrated to England in 1968. In 2002, after 34 years abroad, he decided to return home with his wife Mary.

Before leaving, they travelled to London with the Basingstoke Irish Society to partake in the city’s St Patrick’s Day Parade. Following the festivities, John wrote of the experience, and below is an excerpt of his writings.

“It was a beautiful sunny morning when 43 excited people assembled outside the Irish Club to board the coach for London and the festivities ahead. Then minutes into the journey we put on a tape of Sean Wilson and everybody joined into the spirit of the day by singing along with Sean. We distributed St Patrick’s Day badges, Ireland’s Own and song sheets so everyone was well equipped to celebrate the national feast day in style.

“After mass in Westminster Cathedral everyone poured out into the wonderful sunshine and there we spotted Gerry Traynor and Sean Keating holding up the Bassingstoke Irish Society Flag. We assembled behind and joined the parade.

“It was marvellous to see so many Irish people sporting the colours of different counties. At this point I must make it clear, this is not just a day for the Irish. This wonderful day has been celebrated by every nationality, as we could see by the crowds gathered along the route of the parade.

“The route was along Victoria Street, Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square, and the crowds were four to six deep. We did not expect to see such a crowd in Trafalgar Square, it was thronged.

“We were lucky enough to get near the stage and enjoy the music for the afternoon. It consisted of The Wexford Male Choir, Mary Coughlan, Finbar Furey, the Three Tenors. Sadly however, we had to leave before the Dubliners. We joined our coach in Pall Mall just as the rain started to fall but by now, nobody minded, after all it is traditional for the Shamrock to get wet at some point during the day.

“On the return journey, we resumed out singing to some more Irish tapes and everybody agreed that a great day was had by all.”

Speaking to The Avondhu this week, Mr O'Mahony said he is eagerly looking foward to the 2015 St Patrick's Day Parade in Fermoy.

“I’m in the Fermoy Active Retirement so I actually lead it. Hopefully we’ll have a good crowd there because we have nearly 100 in our Active Retirement group and we enter every year.

“It was my one ambition when I came back to take part in the parades, more or less. For the first two years I wasn’t actively involved, I was a watchman, but after that I got involved. I walked with the senior citizens group at one stage and then with the Fermoy Active Retirement,” he said.

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