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Dublin goes green to celebrate St Patrick's Day

Kevin Sharkey
BBC News NI Dublin reporter
BBC Two men and two women pose for a photo in Dublin ahead of the St Patrick's Day parade through the city. The men both have beards and the women both have long hair. They are all wearing bright green hooded tops. One of the women is wearing black sunglasses with two shamrocks above her head. BBC
Revellers are gathering in the Irish capital for the annual celebrations

Green is the colour everywhere you look around Dublin this St Patrick's Day and you can hear accents from all over the globe.

The festive atmosphere had been building in the city since daybreak and it is now in full swing with a huge parade in front of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.

An estimated half a million people from home and abroad are watching thousands of people participating and performing in the colourful and very creative parade.

The global visitors to the Irish capital are wearing all shades of green, against the sounds of Irish traditional music, local and international marching bands, and non-stop on-street entertainment.

The parade is snaking its way along O'Connell street and onwards past Trinity College to St Stephen's Green.

It includes more than 4,000 participants, including marching bands from around the world, performers, dancers and St Patrick's Day floats.

The city was thronged throughout the weekend as revellers arrived early from all over the world to join the annual celebrations.

A huge logistical operation has also been under way to prepare for the parade and the huge crowds.

Irish President Michael D Higgins arrives for St Patrick's Day Mass in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral. He has white hair and glasses and is wearing a grey three-piece suit with a sprig of shamrock pinned to his lapel. He is walking with the aid of two walking sticks. An Irish soldier in green ceremonial uniform is walking up the steps behind Higgins.
Irish President Michael D Higgins arrives for St Patrick's Day mass in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral

Before the parade, President Higgins and his wife Sabina travelled from Áras an Uachtaráin (official residence of the Irish president) to St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in the city centre where they attended Mass.

The theme for this year's parade is 'eachtrai' (adventures), which aims to reflect the adventurous spirit of Ireland, highlighting community, diversity, and inclusion.

A special pageant will celebrate 40 years of the Irish non-governmental organisation (NGO) Pavee Point, showcasing Irish Traveller and Roma traditions.

The main parade continues into the afternoon but the international party here in the Irish capital will continue long into tonight.