GoinG Green Thousands Turn ouT for parades across capiTal

MORE than of half a million people are believed tyo have descended on Dublin City centre for the St Patrick’s Day parade ton March 17.

Celebrations took place across the capital with massive crowds turning out to mark the occasion in towns and cities.

Dublin’s main parade featured 4,200 performers including marching bands, aerial acrobats and vibrant costumes.

Locals watched from apartment windows, cheering and waving Irish tricolour flags above street level.

The parade centred around the theme of “ONE” to “shine a light on all the goodness that surrounds us” by protecting and embracing global traditions, culture and heritage.

The parade started at Parnell Square, snaking its way through some of the city’s most popular thoroughfares like O’Connell Street and College Green before culminating on Kevin Street.

The Republic of Ireland women’s football team was chosen as this year’s grand marshal and was represented by manager Vera Pauw and other famous faces from the team’s past and present.

Meanwhile in Blanchardstown, the parade kicked off at 1pm along the Castleknock Road into Blanchardstown Village.

In Lucan, the parade set off at 2pm from Lucan village and included everything from Irish dancers, sports clubs, a BMX club, gospel choirs, Indian singers and hip-hop dancers.

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