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CROWDS IN CITIES across the island of Ireland will gather for dozens of events and parades today in celebration of St Patrick’s Day.
Six major, city parades and hundreds of events are taking place in Ireland, offering something for everyone.
Here’s an idea of what’s on offer if you’re looking for inspiration for what to do with your Bank Holiday.
This year’s national parade celebrates Irish culture and heritage through the theme ‘Eachtraí’ – the Irish word for adventures.
Organisers expect upwards of 500,000 spectators to attend the event in the city centre. Tickets, priced at €250, were also on sale for seats on the ‘grandstands’ on O’Connell Street.
More than 4,000 participants are set to begin the parade on Granby Row, near Parnell Square, on the northside of the city centre at 12pm, midday. This year’s parade will be led by actress Victoria Smurfit.
The event will be broadcast on RTÉ One television and live-streamed online, including on the RTÉ player, alongside a number of special programmes. A full list of official events in Dublin can be found here.
Extra trains will be operating between Dublin city centre, Maynooth and Dundalk this weekend, including some late-night services. Irish Rail services will be operating extra Dart and Commuter services before and after the parade.
Between 4pm and midnight, tonight, Tara Street station in the city centre will be closed. Six late-night trains will be running after midnight:
On Dublin Bus, enhanced services will be operating for daytime and 24-hour routes around the capital today. Nitelink services will be operating tonight as well.
All public transport passengers are asked to check timetables before leaving for the city centre and are warned that a number of diversions will be in place across both networks today.
In Cork city, a parade will get underway on the South Mall at 1pm.
This year’s theme is ‘building a better world’, based on a UN initiative, and participants have been encouraged to keep this in mind when curating their performances and displays.
The parade will be live-streamed this afternoon online at Cork City TV. Viewers at home are invited to send a message to organisers on WhatsApp for a chance to be shouted out by the commentators.
In the evening, Cork-based band, Celtic Knights, will kick off their performance on Washington St at 7pm. If you’re in the mood to hear some music sooner, the Céilí All-Stars will be hosting a good aul trad session on Douglas St at 6pm.
A full list of events and other information can be found, here.
More than 3,000 people will participate in the parade in Galway city today, with thousands more expected to turn up to spectate.
The event will begin on University Road at 11.30am and pass by some of the most well-known sites in Galway, including going over the Salmon Weir Bridge.
Eyre Square, near the end of the parade’s route, will be hosting music from 2pm to 8pm today. Traditional music and up-beat performances are on offer for families and more.
It is the last night of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Galway, which has been hosting craic agus ceoil around the city since Saturday afternoon. A full list of events can be found, here.
Music, costumes and dancing is on offer for those up north in Belfast today.
The city centre parade will begin and end at City Hall, kicking off at 1.30pm this afternoon, with thousands of participants and spectators expected to gather for the celebrations.
Live performances from dance groups, local schools and community groups will take place at the free events.
Over 120 events have taken place in Belfast this weekend, with much more on offer today.
This year’s theme in Munster is ‘A More Fun Limerick’ as dozens of cultural events and activities are planned across the streets this afternoon.
Limerick city’s parade will begin on Roden Street at 12pm.
Swimmer Róisín Ní Ríain, who won a silver medal at the most-recent Paralympic games, has been chosen as this year’s grand marshal.
The parade in Waterford today begins at 1pm on Bridge Street, starting at Waterford bus station. Spectators have been told to be in place early to secure the best spot for the two-hour event.
Music events will also be held around the city today, with Joe Gould and Geoff Foley kicking things off at Itty Bitty’s on Bank Lane at 3pm.
A full list of events can be found here. A number of roads will also be closed around Waterford today between 10am and 5pm to facilitate the day’s events. A full list of closures can be found here.
Celebrations of St Patrick’s Day and Kilkenny’s Medieval heritage will begin on John Street at 1.30pm today.
Other events, hosted near The Parade in the city, will include a funfair complete with carnival rides and food trucks, a festival market and a number of stage performances.
Kíla, the award-winning folk bank, will play the closing concert on the main street in the city centre this evening.
All of the day’s events will be livestreamed on YouTube, here.
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Nice bill for the taxpayer !
Indeed – why should Ireland’s figure head promote Ireland in countries that are up and coming? Should stay here with us and moan about things whilst doing nothing!
great he can visit some of our finest down there ,and by the way is he still mixing with the knobs from Ernst a Young you know the guys that fiddled the books in Anglo to make it look like a profitable bank,
It is essential that the president does his job and promote Ireland – like any high ranking member of a corporation.
But I fail to understand why Mrs Higgins – or any spouse – is going. She wasn’t elected though you’d think she was with all the coverage.
Ah she has to look after the hobbit…er… President!!
Funny though that ” De Prisident” isn’t going to two countries that have a huge Irish ancestry pouplation second only to the USA .That’s Argentina and Paraguy!! Maybe because they are nasty right wing Junta states.But its all right to visit fellow revoulitionary red states that have about as much in connection with Ireland as we have with outer Mongolia.
This is a Republic. Our President is due some respect. Hobbit comments are a disgrace.
Another parasite on this country ,
Hopefully he gets caught in peru too
Maureen
Since the foundation of the State we have elected a succession of Presidents who have served us well and some even magnificently.
For seven years they represent us at home and abroad and echo the Nations need to connect with others at a Social and Economic level for long term betterment of our people.
With one vulgar and offensive word you attribute a characteristic to this man and Office that is wrong and unnecessary but typical of small minded bitterness!
do you use andrex to wash your face dick?
Paul Nelly
What a weird question!
the penny has a parachute…
Do trade missions have any economic/trade benefit?
Canadian research says no.
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=a8009d33-da9c-4b46-8c7c-5ae9d10c5c45&k=54156
If Mr & Mrs Higgins and Costello want to go on a jolly they should pay for it themselves.
It is a vulgar exercise considering the deprivations many are experiencing at home.
“and some even magnificently.”
Dare you to name one!!! I DOUBLE DARE you ..Name us one president that has served us well or magnificently!
Parasite me hole. He’s one of the few respectable politicians left in this country. I’m happy to have him as our president. Stop whining, you whingebag.
No austerity for El Presidente, the party goes on and on for the golden circle. These guys are oblivious to the poverty affecting tens of thousands of Irish people. They take medical cards and telephones from the elderly and this silly old Labour Party leech swans off on a 12 day holiday. Bet he won’t have to spend any of his €250,000 salary either.
Hear, hear!
Have to say i agree,its obscene for the head of state of a bankrupt country to go swanning off on a ten day meet and greet holliday to south America,the local Irish embassy could do a similar job at a fraction of the cost.
Why have we a president in this country, just an excuse to waste at least half a million a year on salary , expenses staff etc and then like the two Mary’s a massive pension and for what ? ???Wanton waste , money should be going to help the elderly or special needs children retain their medical cards !
Look if we couldn’t pass a referendum to get rid if the seanad, then it is unlikely we would pass a referendum to get rid of president
Hear hear again, the money it costs to send all them spongers away for what ????? Jobs me arse
He does us proud aboard
will RTE be covering the trip?
no doubt we will be getting fawning updates, on the daily news.
after all, – they are they ones that got him elected as President
If he does his hair up in a bun we will see what he is really at.
Long live the San Patricios!!
Yeah support traitors to the country that they signed alliegence to and then deserted…Sounds very Irish alright.
Total waste of money.
Mexico is in north america
Ah, but why
Mexico is in Central America!
nope, its in north america
Ok, you’re right. Mexico is in North America geographically. But Central America is a political/cultural region. It’s also where Mexico is. what you’re saying is the equivalent of ‘Iraq is not in the Middle East, it’s in Asia.’
Nafta (North American free trade agreement) puts Mexico in North America.
Iraq is clearly in the Middle East. Go find yourself a map!!!
Mexico is north America. Not central America. Ask a Mexican
Will they never learn?
Is he gone via the government jet? If not, is he flying first or business class? How many is there in his entourage? Where is he staying? In the Irish embassies or in 5 star hotels? Does the purpose outweigh the cost? What is the cost financially? What benefit will the trip bring to Ireland? I need answers people!!! lol
Declan
This isn’t a Government Information Bureau. Until you discover the true purpose of the Journal maybe you should stop posting.
Poor little dickie. Rodgers
@Declan You’re right to ask these questions. I lost all respect for Michael D Higgins this week when his Office was given an extra €225 thousand. Im sure the DOF didnt just offer him this money. He must have asked for this increase to his budget. Indeed its an absolute disgrace that his budget was increased as was that of Enda Kennys to the tune of €300 thousand to pay for more staff!
Richies an employee yevonne…..can ya see where the money’s being spent.
*Waves at all the shills and ministers reading*
So long as he doesn’t disguise it in 50 packs of soup.
Its not likely to work.
Drug mule
Why is president yoda over there in the first place..Ireland does not need a president ffs!
A waste of taxpayers money!
He’ll be going loco down in Acapulco if he stays too long.
Enrique pena nieto,this article spelt the name wrong for our Mexican friends
Who gives a shit.
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