From humble beginnings in 2005, the Singapore parade has since grown to be a highly anticipated and fun-filled event celebrated at the Singapore River annually. Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, the parade will bring a colourful mix of high-energy music and dance activities to the river banks where tourists and locals will congregate in an all day celebration.
When: 3:30pm, Sunday 14th March
Where: Asian Civilisations Museum
Attracting over 3,500 marchers & onlookers in 2009, Singapore’s St Patrick’s Day Parade recalls the long heritage of Ireland in Singapore, and is a unique collaboration between Irish and Singaporean organisations, including the Irish Chamber of Commerce, the St Patrick’s Society, St Joseph’s Institution and St Patrick’s School. In 2010, celebrations are set to entertain family and friends, both the young and old, with a colourful riverside parade, an exciting street party and free open air performances. This year’s parade will wind its way from the Raffles Statue at the Asian Civilisations Museum across the Singapore River to the UOB Plaza, with over 700 marchers and performers entertaining the large crowd expected to line Boat Quay for the event.
As South East Asia’s headline parade, the Singapore chapter will feature an extraordinary and eclectic line-up of entertainers and marchers, reflecting the deep business, social, educational, cultural, and sporting ties between Ireland and Singapore. There will be performances by various Asian and Irish musicians and dancers, including a 60 strong troupe from Irish Inspirational Dance, traditional Irish fiddlers, brass bands, percussion groups, bagpipers, Malay dancers, and even local Star Wars troopers! Participants include members from the Irish Chamber of Commerce, St Patrick’s Society, St Andrew’s Society, Patrician Society, Bucks Rugby Singapore, USA Girl Scouts Overseas Singapore, Raffles Girls’ School, Temasek Polytechnic, United World College, Gaelic Lions, Kings Pipers, among others.
Led by the Irish Grand Marshal, H.E. Richard O’Brien, Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore, the parade will feature one of the largest groups of pipers ever assembled in Singapore – headed by the pipe band of St Joseph’s Institution, one of the local schools with strong links to Ireland. The honour of leading the parade is accorded to the military band of St Joseph’s Institution and a colour party of cadets from St Patrick’s School.
Colin MacDonald, Chair of the Irish Chamber of Commerce:
In the five years since its inception in 2005, the parade has grown to become an established part of the annual calendar, and this year it promises to be bigger than ever. In line with the original vision for the event, and consistent with more established parades around the world, the Singapore parade celebrates Ireland’s heritage in Singapore."
Jacquie Hourihane, President of the St Patrick’s Society:
“The Parade is a fantastic kick off to the Irish Festival Week in Singapore which culminates in the Annual St. Patrick’s Society Ball on Friday 19th March at the Shangri-La Hotel. The Irish community come together to celebrate our heritage and National Day, and to raise money for charity. This year, we are expecting the biggest turn out ever from the St. Patrick’s Society at the Parade. It is a unique family day out in Singapore where we can all enjoy and celebrate being Irish for a day. Everyone is welcome! You just need to wear something green!”
Sponsors
To date, sponsorship for the Singapore St Patrick’s Day Parade is provided by the Irish Chamber of Commerce, St Patrick’s Society, Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, Uncabunca Bar, Mr Farooq Mann of Ewe Loke & Partners, OrthoSports, Shangri-La Hotel, and Singapore Gaelic Lions. More sponsors will be confirmed shortly.
There’ll be dancing and singing all day, and the Guinness will flow throughout the night. Old friends will share a joke and new friends will be made. Irish for a day, green for life!
As they say in Ireland, it’s mighty great craic! Come celebrate with us!
