Dear Sir/Madam,

The Rathcoole-Saggart St. Patrick’s Day Parade was back in full swing this year after Covid. The parade starts in Rathcoole and ends in St. Mary’s GAA Club in Saggart. It attracts huge crowds who line the street the whole way. Families come from the 4 Districts of Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas and is only possible because of the support of local businesses and local sports clubs.

It is a big decision for kids which sports club to march with because so many of them are involved in multiple clubs across the 4 Districts. A huge proportion of St. Mary’s GAA players play hurling and camogie for Commercial’s Hurling Club across the N7 near Newcastle, and a lot of kids play football with Rathcoole FC and rugby with Clondalkin RFC based in Baldonnel.

This Parade is just one example of many successful community events held to bring to life the community spirit in the villages of Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas.

In the past our community has ended up in different Constituencies and local electoral areas and I think that is a real shame because our community is stronger together.

I would ask that the Electoral Commission maintain the integrity of the 4 Districts by keeping us together in our current constituency of Dublin Mid West.

Sharon Redmond