Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Irish capital always puts on a host of events for families to enjoy over the long weekend, including the highly-anticipated St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The theme of this year’s Festival and Parade is Spréach, the Irish word for Spark, which represents the unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people.
Wherever you are in the world, come join us at St. Patrick’s Festival 2024 for a global celebration of all things Irish, 15th-18th March. ✨☘️🧡🐍
One city.
One celebration.
Be part of it.See more about the programme on https://t.co/wgjiZXQ23I ✨
🎥: @wearebearfoot pic.twitter.com/Qcp1xCA5u3— St. Patrick’s Festival 🇮🇪🐍☘️💚 (@stpatricksfest) February 3, 2024
Organisers said: “It’s what sets us apart and what brings us together, and oftentimes it’s the reason that people from all over the world have a special place in their hearts for Irish people, place and culture.
“Spréach is about celebrating that uniquely Irish spark of life.”
The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty will act as this year’s Grand Marshal.
Ahead of this year’s event, the Co. Down native said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be this year’s Grand Marshal and can’t thank the Festival enough for asking me to be part of our biggest day.”
“It’s such a honour to be asked and I was genuinely gobsmacked when the call came in.”
“When you’re lucky enough to be called Patrick, St Patrick’s Day always feels like an extra birthday and I can’t wait to get the world’s biggest party started on March 17.”
This year’s parade will kick off at 12 noon, starting on Parnell Square North before moving down O’Connell Street and crossing the River Liffey.
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It will then go through Dame Street, Lord Edward Street, Nicholas Street, Patrick’s Street and it will end on Kevin Street.
As always the parade will feature incredible young dancers and musicians from across Ireland.
According to their website, it will feature 6 large scale pageants, 11 showpieces and 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over 4,000 participants in what is shaping up to be the largest ever National St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
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Intercity trains and the Dart will operate a Sunday timetable across the day, with some additional Dart and commuter services put in place to facilitate the larger crowds heading into the parade.
However, commuters should note that Tara Street Station is expected to be closed until 4pm to facilitate crowd management.
Luas Red and Green Line services will run Sunday operating hours, but there will be partial closures of both Red and Greeen Luas lines to facilitate the parade.
