Dublin Cycling Campaign celebrated biodiversity by bicycle in the St. Patrick’s Day parade this year. One hundred participants of all ages dressed up as flora and fauna from the four important protected habitats in Ireland; Grassland, Coastal, Forest and Wetlands/bogs.

There were floats by bicycle, banners and birds, bees, butterflies, bats, hare, native trees and flora and fauna. We explored the connection between protecting and love of nature and the bicycle in sound and visuals under the direction of Artist Donna Cooney in collaboration with Designer Artist Phil Murray and Sound designer Eoghan Breathnach.

We distributed Biodiversity Seed Packets provided by Connecting to Nature among the spectators including Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins. We also gave out 800 bike lights from our annual Light up your Bike campaign so everyone was very busy on the day.

Dublin Cycling Campaign greatly welcomed the support of Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland in supporting this great event.

We would like to thank all the volunteers who made a great effort in putting together their costumes and really giving it their all on the day. See you next year for the European Year of the Bike!

(Photo credit: Norma Burke)

Media Release - 14th March 2023

Dublin City Council supports Bikes and Biodiversity in the St Patrick’s Day Parade

Dublin City Council is proud to support this year’s ‘Bikes and Biodiversity’ pageant by the Dublin Cycling Campaign in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.

Dublin Cycling Campaign will be celebrating the role of the bicycle in supporting biodiversity. Over one hundred and twenty participants of all ages are re-imagining the four important protected habitats in Ireland; Grassland, Coastal, Forest and Wetlands/bogs through the diversity of bikes.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy welcomed the participation saying, “It’s great to see enthusiastic Dubliners cycling in the St Patrick’s Day parade highlighting the important role cycling can play in fighting climate change and promoting Dublin’s biodiversity. I look forward to seeing the streets of Dublin being brought to life with cyclists wearing colourful costumes while cycling beautiful bikes.”

There will be floats by bicycle, banners and birds, bees, butterflies, bats, hare, native trees and flora and fauna. They are exploring the connection between protecting our environment and love of nature and the bicycle in sound and vision, under the direction of artist Councillor Donna Cooney in collaboration with designer artist Phil Murray and sound designer Eoghan Breathnach.

Councillor Donna Cooney, Artistic Director, Dublin Cycling Campaign said “This will be yet another magical celebration of the versatility of the bicycle, and its role in society, and televised live on St Patrick’s Day”

Deirdre Kelly, Cycling & Walking Officer with Dublin City Council said, “Dublin City Council are delighted to support Dublin Cycling Campaign’s participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade is a great opportunity to celebrate and promote the joy of cycling as well as showcasing the important contribution that cycling can make in protecting our environment.”

ENDS
For further information contact:
Dublin City Council Media Relations Office T. (01) 222 2170, M. 087 740 0277
Or Cllr Donna Cooney, Artistic Director 083 3317190