ARCHIVED - WATCH: Cabo Roig is painted green for St Patricks Day
The Costa Blanca town hosted one of Europe’s biggest and best parades
After a three-year hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic, the world-famous St Patrick’s Day parade returned to the streets of Cabo Roig with a bang this year, certainly fulfilling organisers’ hopes that the 2023 celebrations would be bigger and better than ever.
The iconic Costa Blanca Strip turned green from early morning as the local Irish community turned out in force to honour the patron saint, and the streets, bars and restaurants were packed to the rafters.Around 18,000 people flocked to Cabo Roig on Friday March 17 to watch one of Europe’s largest parades, led this year by Grand Marshall Anthony Malloy, who captained Donegal in the 1992 All Ireland win.
“It made me so proud to be in Cabo Roig on the biggest day – celebrating our patron Saint Patrick. It is great to see so many, many people and to see the green splashed all over this Spanish town,” Mr Malloy said on the day.No fewer than 25 colourful groups made up the 90-minute parade which included dance troupes, floats, stilt walkers, bands, bikers and cartoon characters for the kiddies. A stunning addition was the 40 ex-Irish Army veterans who marched the route in all their finery.
The parade was shown live on Spanish TV and the celebrations continued well into the night, with most bars putting on live, traditional Irish entertainment. The festivities were made possible by the dedication of the organising committee, who worked for months to bring the event together, and the local establishments who ran fundraising events throughout the year.“What a fantastic day, it has been a great occasion and I am thrilled to be able to lead the parade as Grand Marshall,” Mr Malloy summed up.
Images: St Patrick’s Day Parade Cabo Roig / Alicante Today
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