EVENTS:WHILE THERE may be some drizzle in parts of the west and north early this morning, rain is due to clear across the countrybefore the parades get under way, according to Met Éireann.
Some 70 parades are due to take place around the country, with the Dublin parade expected to attract more than half a million spectators under largely clear skies.
“It’s looking fairly promising. There will be a gloomy start for parts of the west and north, with possibly a few spits of drizzle, but these will die away in the early morning and by parade time, there should be a good bit of sunshine,” Met Éireann forecaster Gerry Scully said.
The Dublin parade will begin at noon from Parnell Square. 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. The participants will base their floats and acts around the theme “The Sky is the Limit”.
The GAA will lead the parade with their “Monumental Moments” pageant to mark the organisation’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.
Elsewhere in Dublin, the funfair at Merrion Square which started last Friday continues until 11pm, and Seán Keane and a selection of traditional musicians and dancers will present a musical journey through time, in celebration of the experiences of the Irish abroad in the National Concert Hall at 8pm.
“Cosmic Chaos” is the theme of this year’s Cork city parade which will be lead by Nasa astronaut Dan Tani in celebration of the UN International Year of Astronomy. The parade begins at the South Mall at 1pm.
Cork City Hall will host an exhibition entitled Capture the Cosmos, as part of the festivities and the new boardwalk along the river Lee will hold a number of events, including the Barry's Tea food market 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. Up to 60,000 people are expected to attend.
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.
