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Moment in Time: Some brilliant photos from St Patrick’s Day parades in Rosenallis, Mountrath and Timahoe in 2004

For the week that’s in it, with St Patrick’s Day about to dominate everything, we’ve decided to look back on some great images from parades in previous years.

Today we’re dipping into the 2004 archives and Alf and Jeff Harvey’s photos from that day don’t disappoint.

We’ve taken a random sample from the parades in Rosenallis, Mountrath and Timahoe that year when community spirit was as alive and well as it is today.

From the big dragon and bagpipes in Timahoe to a young-looking St Patrick in Mountrath and sword-fighting warriors in Rosenallis, it was a day that once again captured people’s imaginations.

Some will look back and wonder where did the years go at all. Small children then are in their late teens or early 20s now.

This Saturday will be more of the same. Facepaint and hats, pompoms and plenty of green – and all played out to huge crowds in the towns and villages around the county.

Our national day is always one of great colour and atmosphere and these photos will bring memories flooding back for those featured.

The dragon, lead by Martin O’Connor, of the Timahoe St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Leading the Timahoe St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Jimmy Fennelly with John Hayden behind him on the pipes.

The Dunne Family, Ballyfin, at the Rosenallis St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Kate Maher getting in to the spirit of things at the Rosenallis St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Ben Dempsey and Dean Dempsey who where part of the Rosenallis St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Action from the Rosenallis St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Two band members of the Shanahoe band in the Mountrath St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Some of the many people who went to view the Mountrath St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Odile Fitzpatrick, Noa Russell-Clarke and Niamh Russell-Clarke at the Mountrath St. Patrick’s Day parade.

One of many participants of the Mountrath St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Orlaith Cullen at the Mountrath St. Patrick’s Day parade.

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