Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Behind the parade

I haven't been to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin for several years, but today was different. I had agreed to take part in this "sideshow"- an 80 metre Stiletto Heel Dash down O'Connell Street just before the official parade - in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation. Marie was mother of Ronan Keating of Boyzone, and when she died of breast cancer, the family started the charity.

What a laugh! I can't even WALK in stilettos, and the heel had to be 3". I was terrified I'd get trampled on, but it was fine. Here we are, in our heels- that's me with one orange and one green! There was a prize for the most outrageous shoes (€1000 voucher for M&S)- I didn't win! The 2 different colours happened by mistake- shoes are belonging to daughter, who couldn't find the match of either this morning, so I just grabbed and ran!


If you don't like green or St Patrick's Day, close the window now.





Translation here is "Kiss my A**"! Hope I haven't offended anyone, I didn't even see the older boy when I was taking the photo of the cute little one, but when I loaded it onto the computer, there he was!




Now this is what I call a head!






The railings of Trinity College were good for a bit of extra height!




This restaurant wasn't quite ready on time.







What a vantage point- the 2nd floor window of a hotel! No idea how they climbed up, but they were happy to pose.








These girls were painting shamrocks on faces, in return for a donation for their (education)charity. I'm all for that!








Aren't these guys just so cute?







These ladies were all smiles!




I really liked the head gear these girls were wearing. The building in the background is a former bank, now a hotel.




And some people wore flags




The parade has definitely improved since my last time there- it was well organised, and everybody was in good humour.
And the sun shone, which usually doesn't happen either!



17 comments:

  1. Wow...... its all happening over your way.
    I LOVE that bottom! Ha Ha!
    Maybe I should get a green wig.

    Nuts in May

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  2. I can't believe you didn't notice the young fellow's bottom! Too funny. And your shoes are most appropriately colored for an accidental match. Love all these pictures...glad you had to be there.

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  3. OH Mimi, I love your post! My Irish eyes are definitely smiling!!!
    What a great way to start the parade and I really think you should have one for those heels - cool!
    Uh, seems like the 'kiss a**' shorts were a big hit by a few. :)
    I want an Irish flag wig - love it.
    Hope you had a great day!
    Irish Blessings my friend!

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  4. What a Hoot! and sounds like a fabulous day of celebrating!

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  5. Now that was a St. Patrick's Day celebration!!! It made my sad little parade with it's two floats look, well, boring.
    I LOVED the stilleto dash, what a creative way to do a donation. And I loved your two different shoes.
    Looks like some great pictures came from a great day!!!!
    I really wish I could have been there with you, it would have been fun!!!!

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  6. I do have to ask though. What is the deal with the butt hanging out of the Ireland boxers?

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  7. What a fun parade - those butt cheeks cracked me up (hey, I made a pun!).

    Only two weeks now till we're in Dublin, I can't wait!

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  8. Thanks eveyone for your lovely comments.I thought the post was going to be too long and boring, that's why I put the bit about closing the window. Glad I was wrong!
    Heidi, if you enlarge the photo, it's more clear!Really.

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  9. Thank you for visiting my blog and leave a comment. Your blog is beautiful. The post is excellent and the pictures are gorgeous. Need your e-mail please. Kind regards, Philip

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  10. Great parade! One day I hope to visit Dublin, Mimi! :)

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  11. Wow..what a Fabulous post...full of such life..color..magic and great fun!! Wish i was there! Thanks for sharing this spectacular adventure!
    Kiki~

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  12. Great pictures :0) Looks like it was a fab day... I can't believe you didn't get the shoe prize, you were robbed! ;0)

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  13. What a wonderful day, so impressed you participated in the stilletto heel run. That had to be the idea of a man. You were robbed, because not only were you outrageous with two different shoes, it is much harder to run in shoes that are completely different designs.

    Now why didn't I come up with the idea of a** pants? I thought Cher had already "uncovered that in one of her music videos. I will say they are quite realistic looking.

    Thanks for visitng me and I'm so glad I came by to get a laugh and see how Ireland does her Holiday justice.

    Valerie

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  14. I await your yard art posting over the nxt two weeks... :)

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  15. Thank you, everyone, for your comments.

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  16. Mimi, glad you liked Maxine! Thanks for posting! :)

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