The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team has been chosen as the Grand Marshal for the 2023 National St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Team Manager Vera Pauw, experienced defender Diane Caldwell and former international Paula Gorham will represent the team and lead out the national parade on Friday, March 17th.
“I think it’s particularly fitting that this year’s Grand Marshal is the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team, represented by their Manager Vera Pauw,” said Dublin Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy. “They have been an inspiration to us all and we’ll be following their progress closely at the World Cup later this year.”
“What a year 2023 will be for women’s football in Ireland but also for the country as a whole because we celebrate our success together,” added Vera Pauw.
“The achievement of this team is incredible but we know that we wouldn’t have made it without the fantastic support of the Irish people, from all around the world. So it is a huge honour for the team to be named as Grand Marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade before we fly to Australia this summer to do the nation proud at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
“I feel extremely lucky to represent the squad and will be especially looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces on March 17th.”
“This year’s Parade is shaping up to be the biggest and brightest National St. Patrick’s Day Parade ever,” said St Patrick’s Festival CEO and long time friend of Sport for Busienss Richard Tierney.
“We’re honoured to have Vera Pauw and the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Football Team as our Grand Marshal for this year’s parade. Their hard work and dedication to their game is reflective of the efforts of people up and down the country and beyond as they put the final touches to their performances and get ready to showcase their talents for us all to enjoy on March 17th.”
Sport for Business is delighted to have played some small part in helping to make this a reality.
Community, Diversity, Youth and Sustainability
This year’s National St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to the streets of Dublin city from 12 noon on Friday March 17th, winding its way from Parnell Square to Kevin St Junction. Driven by the values of community, diversity, youth and sustainability, it will be the most ambitious ever, featuring breath-taking new artistic, interactive and aerial elements.
A major new opening pageant has been commissioned featuring a collaboration with St. Patrick’s Festival Community Arts pageant with Macnas, Junk Kouture, Discovery Gospel Choir, and a whole host of community groups. The Parade will feature 7 creative pageants, 10 transitional showpiece performances, 15 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and Canada, and over 4,000 participants.
Aside from World Cup qualification for the first time, Manager Vera Pauw has helped the team to achieve their highest ever position in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, secure their biggest ever win, equal their best ever away result, set a new home attendance record and also helped the team to a record nine-game unbeaten run that they are currently on. Her efforts were recognised as she claimed the Manager of the Year at the 2022 RTE Sports Awards, the first woman to ever win this award.
Diane Caldwell, who has represented the Ireland Women’s Team on 93 occasions, has been there through it all since making her debut in 2006. The Dublin native has played professionally in Iceland, Norway, Germany, United States and now in England with Reading. She has been a key part of Pauw’s defensive unit – including playing in that famous win over Scotland last November – and has helped to raise standards by being part of the players’ group that helped to introduce an equal pay structure for the players.
Paula Gorham is a legendary figure in women’s football in Ireland after scoring a hat-trick on her Ireland Women’s Team debut – as a 16-year-old – in the country’s first ever women’s international when they beat Wales 3-2 in May 1973. As the 50th year anniversary of the team rolls closer, Paula has remained a positive ambassador for the game and can be seen and heard at home games in Tallaght Stadium cheering on the Girls in Green.
The National St. Patrick’s Festival, Dublin runs from March 16 to 19, 2023 and is made possible through the continued support of the Government of Ireland, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Fáilte Ireland, Dublin City Council, and many generous partners and funders.
Returning to the 2023 festivities is Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks which will be home to a magical day-to-night urban Festival for all, from March 16th to 19th on the grounds of one of Ireland’s most spectacular and historic heritage sites, in the heart of Dublin. Festival Quarter will also host the Food & Drinks Village, a daily showcase of Ireland’s incredible produce, arts and crafts and a space for all to relax and connect.
For full programme details, tickets and more see www.stpatricksfestival.ie
