ASdTorrevieja Information - tourist guide: Daya Nueva’s St. Patrick’s fiesta attracts over 100 classic cars and 1,000 visitors

Daya Nueva’s St. Patrick’s fiesta attracts over 100 classic cars and 1,000
visitors
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Keith Nicol on 17 March, 2010 10:05:00

There is something about the Irish that can’t be denied; they love a good
party.

On Sunday March 14th they didn’t even need to look for a good excuse to find
one, as the town of Daya Nueva has become something of a focal point for Irish
activities based around St. Patrick’s Day and their Fiesta San Patricio.
This third year of holding the celebration went a long way to showing how much
community spirit and integration between the Spanish, Irish and British goes on,
in a small village. This spirit was highlighted in the short speech by honorary
Irish consul Mr Rory Brady who talked about the strong ties between the Irish
and the Spanish, their similar mentalities, love of family life and willingness
to work together as one.
The man responsible for putting the wheels in motion and overseeing the event
was Brendan Kelly president of St Patrick’s fiesta committee. Brendan, was
joined for the flag raising ceremony by Mr Rory Byrne honorary Irish consul,
Pablo Castillo Ferri, mayor of Daya Nueva, Mariesun Asuncion Prieto Candella.
councillor Deputacion Alicante for European Residents and Rafael Vives Pertusa,
mayor of Daya Viega.
All events need to have a focal point and this year this was provided by superb
collection of Classic Cars organised by Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists
Cars. Club Torrevieja were supported on the day by a mix of local Spanish clubs
including the 600 y Clasicos de Orihuela, 2CV del Levante, Almoradi de 600 y
Clasicos, Amigos de 600 de Elche and Clásicos de Alicante. Club Chairman David
Hudson has always been a huge advocate of International integration and it took
a man of his connections and standing to be able to attract such a large number
of cars to the event. David was the man responsible for pulling off this not
unsubstantial task and what was once thought of as being a small procession of
30 cars, almost overnight became a very impressive 90 cars for the parade route
with another 20 or so on display, making the occasion one of the largest Classic
Car events that will take place in the Alicante province in 2010; unless they
decide to organise another one!
Event organiser Brendan Kelly has seen the Fiesta start as a small gathering of
just 100 in 2008 to over 1,000 smiling faces for 2010, as the event grows
steadily in status, year by year.  EuropeanIrish.com, compiled a directory of
thousands of events happening throughout Spain and surprising to most is the
fact that Daya Nueva’s event is Spain’s ONLY parade, that they are aware of!
Also helping make the day such a success were the Willie Hume Pipers, Daya
Nueva’s New Alliance Choral group, Guadamar’s Celtic Group, the Festival
Queens, Damas de Honor, Bardoi, with music for the customary raising of Irish
and Spanish flags from Union Musical San Miguel Arcángel de Daya Nueva. Club
Torrevieja also wanted to thank all those who supported this great event, some
of whom came from as far away as Mazarron, Pilar de la Horadada, Alicante,
Benidorm, Calpe, Moraia, Denia and Javea. For more information on classic and
specialist cars, please visit www.ClubTorrevieja.com or bring your car along and
show it off at the region’s first social evening for Classics, Specialists,
Kit Cars, Bike, Trikes, Custom and Tuning Cars, which shall take place in
Torrevieja’s Marina Salinas from 2000-2200 hrs on Friday March 26th. Entry is
free for all cars and visitors, plus free car parking too.
Keith Nicol