National Children's Day in Dublin features a parade through the city and a variety show in Croke Park.
Founded in 1962 by Tony Barry, National Children’s Day has become a nationwide event.
The aim of Children's Day is to focus public attention on the needs of all the children in the country for at least one day in the year.
The biggest celebration takes place in Dublin with a parade of 6.000 adults and children taking part. The parade is led by the Garda Band with 25 other bands and majorettes also participating. The parade features children’s favourites Wanderly Wagon ,The Muppets and Disney characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Ruffling some feathers along the route is Orville the albatross from Walt Disney's latest movie 'The Rescuers’.
The parade takes two hours to pass the viewing stand at the GPO in O'Connell Street watched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Collins and other civic dignitaries.
The parade is followed by a two-hour variety show held in Croke Park featuring among others, Chips and Brendan Grace. Guests of honour Mickey and Minnie Mouse arrive by helicopter.
Over 30,000 children attended, and cats were strictly forbidden.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 June 1978. The reporter is Michael Walsh.
