ST Patrick’s Day festivities started early around the global with major cities going green ahead of Ireland’s big parade in Dublin tomorrow.
In what’s known as the global greening, countries across the world started their celebrations of the patron saint of Ireland by flashing some of their iconic landmarks up in shades of shamrock.
In the United States, Chicago has kept up the tradition of dying the Chicago River bright green, while New York City pays tribute to its Irish links by lighting the iconic Empire State building the same colour.
In Europe, St Patrick’s Day will see the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the famous Italian leaning Tower of Pisa lit up with Ireland’s national colour.
And across the world in Sydney, the Australian capital celebrate their own Irish ties by lighting the famous Opera House bright green.
But at home in Ireland there’s more than just light displays on offer, as the entire country is gearing up for a day of festivities.
Dublin is set to see some 550,000 visitors flocking in – including 100,000 foreign visitors – pumping roughly €122 million into the economy.
The days-long celebrations, which began on Friday, March 14, create at least 4,200 jobs with 11,000 days of employment due to the sheer amount of work required to put the events together.
Across the bumper bank holiday weekend, the capital city has played host to street performances, live music events, a city wide treasure hunt, and the largest parade in the country.
And tomorrow marks the most important day as revellers around the country come together to celebrate all things Irish.
The Dublin parade will mark the occasion, beginning at 12pm in Parnell Square and ending hours later at the top of Kevin Street.
The free event is themed “Eachtraí”, meaning “adventure” as Gaeilge, to honour the fearless spirit of the Irish people.
Over half a million spectators will gather to take in the spectacle, featuring live bands, Irish dancing, gymnast troupes, and extravagant floats.
The city centre will play host to a range of other events, including a funfair at Custom House Quay, free walking tours, and exhibitions celebrating Irish history.
Extra precautions have been put in place to ensure the day is as safe as possible, including a booze ban until four o’clock in the afternoon.
Publicans and off-licences in the capital won’t be allowed to sell alcohol until after the parade has ended, it was announced days ago.
The drinks freeze was put in place as part of a larger operation which will see more than 1,000 Gardai patrolling the capital for the day.
GARDA PRESENCE
Ununiformed officers and plain clothes detectives will be among the ranks alongside two water cannons, if needed.
The huge policing operation is being run under the command of Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary and has been planned for months, although there are no planned protests for the day.
And a clever wristband system is in place for the day to make sure tots don’t get lost in the massive crowds.
NATIONWIDE CELEBRATIONS
Outside the capital, events are set to take place all over the country, including in the world’s only city with two cathedrals named after St Patrick.
Celebrations will start at dawn in the city which claims the “most authentic connection” with Ireland’s national saint.
Now known as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, Armagh’s ties to Patrick stretch back to 445AD, when he founded the first church.
The site, now home to St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, was once part of the land known as the Hill of the Sallows, which belonged to local chieftain Daire mac Fiachna, who initially refused Patrick’s request but later granted it to him – an act which is described as laying the foundations of Ireland’s Christian heritage.
The festivities also include a colourful and musical parade later in the day.
Donna Fox, a registered Blue Badge Level 4 guide, said: “Many don’t realise that without Armagh, the island’s connection to its patron saint may not be what it is today.”
SINN FEIN’S BOYCOTT
SINN Fein’s boycott of St Patrick’s events in the United States was a “big mistake”, Micheal Martin has said.
And the Taoiseach said the decision was “not in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland”.
NI First Mininister Michelle O’Neill travelled to Carolina last week for a business event.
But she returned home rather than attend the Washington DC celebrations in protest against President Donald Trump’s Gaza policies.
Martin told the BBC: “I think it was a wrong decision because huge efforts were made at the beginning of the peace process to facilitate Sinn Fein.
He added: “A lot of people put a lot of effort into that.”
Sinn Fein said: “The decision not to travel to the White House was not taken lightly, but taken conscious of the responsibility each of us as individuals have to call out injustice.”
Further south in Co Cork, Ireland’s second biggest city holds celebrations to rival the capital’s, boasting a massive parade, a local farmer’s market, and citywide festivities.
In Limerick, the city will put a twist on traditional March 17 festivities by hosting the St Patrick’s Day Spring fest and Limerick International Band Festival.
And out west in Co Mayo, devout hikers will make the traditional barefoot hike up mighty Croagh Patrick.
The pilgrimage began to honour St Patrick, who is said to have fasted on the mountain for 40 days and nights.
Now every year, hundreds of hikers make their way to the base of the 764-metre climb and brave the journey in bare feet to pay homage to the patron saint.
