Images of freezing St Patrick’s Days should be consigned to memory tomorrow with Met Éireann predicting a dry and bright day with sunny spells for most of the country.
The largest parade will take place in Dublin, beginning at noon tomorrow from Parnell Square. The theme is “The Sky is the Limit”, and more than 2,000 performers will take part including Irish street theatre companies, ceremonial groups and marching bands from the US, Canada, Germany, Italy and Ireland.
A GAA pageant, "Monumental Moments", will lead the parade to mark the GAA’s 125th anniversary. GAA stars Brian Dooher, Henry Shefflin, Angela Walsh and Caitríona Foley will act as the joint grand marshals. GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will provide the commentary.
A funfair is taking place in Merrion Square today and will continue until 11pm tomorrow night. The National Concert Hall is to host the Kilfenora Céilí Band tonight and at Liberty Hall, a lively debate on what it means to be Irish is promised.
Up to 70 local parades will be taking place around the country, from Ardee to Wicklow town.
“Cosmic Chaos” is the theme of this year’s festivities in Cork and organisers have teamed up with Blackrock Castle Observatory to celebrate the UN International Year of Astronomy. Nasa astronaut Dan Tani will lead tomorrow’s parade, which will begin at 1pm at the South Mall.
City Hall will host an exhibition Capture the Cosmos, as part of the festivities and the new boardwalk along the river Lee will host a number of events, including the Barry’s Tea food market, presented by Cork City Council, from 10am to 5pm.
The Limerick “Go Green” parade will begin at noon from Sarsfield Barracks and will be led by children’s TV presenter Emma O’Driscoll.
In Galway, the parade, “A Celebration of the Sea”, will start at 12.30pm at Lower Dominick Street. The St Patrick’s Day carnival procession in Belfast, with the theme “Legends, Myths and Stories”, will leave City Hall at noon.
AA Roadwatch is asking motorists to drive with caution over the holiday period due to extra volumes on the road and a large number of events taking place across the country.
Drinkaware.ie, an initiative by the drinks industry awareness group Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society (Meas), has called on revellers to avoid excessive drinking.
"Drinkaware.ie is challenging consumers to break that typical Irish stereotype of excess and public drunkenness which has, for far too long, been synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations," chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said.
Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland today wished Irish people everywhere a very happy and faith-filled St. Patrick's Day.
“This St Patrick's Day I am very much aware that violence has returned to the streets of Northern Ireland. If the awful and tragic events of last week teach us anything, it is that all of us must work unceasingly for peace here on our island. I would urge all citizens to redouble efforts to build a peaceful society,” he said.