Visitors coming into Drogheda earlier today could well have thought they had wandered into a disaster area with many of the roads closed and the town centre crowded with members of the emergency services.
In fact it was National Services Day and the town came to a short halt to pay tribute to the various services that we all rely on to keep us safe and to care for us in times of trouble.
The streets were lined from Laurence’s Gate down through West Street, Dominic Street and out along Dyer Street and Shop Street to the Quays.
Members of the Gardaí, the Defence forces, the National Ambulance Service, the fire services, the Coast Guard, RNLI Lifeboat, Civil Defence teams, Red Cross, Knights of Malta and others were cheered every step of the way along the route.
It was gratifying to see members of the public show their appreciation for both the professionals and volunteers from the various organisations who are ready to respond at a moment’s notice 24/7, day or night and in all weathers whenever they are called.
Nobody ever wants to see these people coming for them but it is comforting to know that they are there if and when they are needed.
Just before the parade got underway from King Street car park at midday, as if to underline the point of how their services can be called on at any time, a woman lost her footing in Laurence Street and fell and hurt her ankle.
There is no good today to fall and hurt yourself but this was the day to do it. Within seconds the poor woman was surrounded by first aiders who got her off the ground and made her comfortable on a chair and had just about enough time to bandage her wounds before an ambulance arrived.
The parade was led by members of the Gardaí who it seems are as popular as ever with the children of the town several of whom wore Garda hats whilst waving their heroes on.
Tullyallen boy Fionn Campbell who is three and half years old, (the half is very important!) went one further and got to sit on Garda Derek O’Donoghue’s motor bike. That’s Fionn above with Dave his Dad.
There was music from The Drogheda Brass Band and The Lourdes Band and a pipe band from the north.
It is difficult enough to drown out the sound of the bagpipes but the siren from one of the Drogheda Fire service tenders managed to do just that much to the chagrin of a lone piper who was playing in front of the viewing platform which gave the mayor and council members a birds’ eye view of proceedings.
After the parade the various organisations involved gave displays in the special Emergency Service Village at Drogheda Port where there was also an emergency skill challenge and a colouring competition.
