AFTER a five-year absence, the annual St Patrick’s day parade came back to life Sunday, but in Leederville not Fremantle.
Thousands turned out to watch the parade and catch a glimpse of Bob Geldof before sauntering over to Leederville Oval. It was a warm day when the Voice popped by the fair but the oval was still healthily populated with kids, families and those enjoying a pint of Guinness in the sun.
The event was revived by Irish Families WA, local businesses and the Vincent council.
Cr Ros Harley got to rub shoulders with “Sir Bob” and says “he’s pretty down to earth and pretty funny”.
“I was a teenager of the ‘80s, I was a fan of the music at the time, so I thought it was really good that he made the effort to come down.
“It was a great turnout, it was families and lots of good humour and good spirits, and lots of Irish people saying ‘we thank you’ to other people for celebrating their day as well, which was really nice.”
Mayor Alannah MacTiernan says, “we reckon we’ve stolen Fremantle’s mojo in a lot of areas”.
“Much as we love Fremantle and Brad [Pettitt, the mayor] we’re happy to be in there staking a claim to all things that are groovy and fun.”
The area is seeing an influx of Irish lately, with 2.5 per cent of Vincent’s population born in Ireland.
by DAVID BELL
Perth Voice Interactive 