For the second successive year, Ennis , Co Clare, had no St Patrick's Day parade. The town's Urban District Council was criticised "for washing its hands of any responsibility for organising a parade". The Vintners Association said: "It has been traditional that the town had a parade, but it hasn't happened this year or last. We aren't happy with this situation because it was one of the biggest days of the year for us."
In a statement, the UDC said: "The council has worked in partnership with various groups who have arranged past parades in the town and is open to considering any such proposal in the future."