Get ready for a tale that’s as lively as the horse that walks into a bar! Clifton in the Darling Downs, Queensland, is about to set the stage for the quirky and whimsical Finnegan’s Wake parade on Saturday, 2nd March.

Finnegan, the star of the show, will be paraded through the town in his coffin. The procession will include characters like the Pope, Saint Patrick, Weeping Widow, and the nuns, creating a spectacle that is both good fun and bewildering. As if that’s not enough, there may even be a horse strolling into O’Shanley’s Irish Pub for a drink – because why should humans have all the fun?

Inspired by James Joyce’s prose work, this annual event made its debut at the historic 120-year-old pub in 2003. The story revolves around Timothy Finnegan, a cantankerous fellow known for attending every wake, even those he wasn’t invited to. Not wanting to miss out on the ultimate party – his own wake – Finnegan decided to throw one while he was still alive.

The parade itself is a lively re-enactment of the wake, with Finnegan enjoying a few drinks in his coffin as he’s paraded through the town. Everyone is invited to join in the revelry by dressing in the spirit of the day to be entered into a draw for a $50 voucher. The festivities kick off at 12pm with the parade making its way up Clifton’s main street, culminating in a grand finale at O’Shanley’s. 

Get ready for a day filled with Irish entertainment, delectable food and drink, and endless fun. With Guinness, Kilkenny, and craic flowing all day long, Finnegan’s Wake promises an experience that’s as spirited as the town itself.

Pictures: A horse kicking off Finnegan’s Wake in O’Shanleys, Clifton, Queensland and Finnegan in his coffin. Credit: Irish Queenslander