Spirits high across the country for St Patrick’s culmination

THE weekend celebrations of St Patrick’s Day will reach a climax with parades and events in Dublin and other cities and towns this afternoon.

On a weekend when Democratic Unionist Party leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley supported calls for it to be made a national holiday north of the border, spirits were high across the country.

Ahead of the capital’s St Patrick’s Day parade, which marches out at midday, the city’s Merrion Square was turned into a massive fairground where families and young people enjoyed the festivities in dry but cloudy weather yesterday afternoon.

The Skyfest fireworks display attracted thousands of spectators to the Rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary on Saturday night where the 12th century landmark building was magnificently lit up by a pyrotechnics show.

More than five tonnes of fireworks were used to create more than 40,000 explosions, thrilling the crowds who turned out for the Rocking the Rock extravaganza. Orange, red, gold, blue and — of course — green fireworks lit up the night sky over the ruins, with music playing to the electrifying 15-minute display.

There were more traditional affairs in Durrow, Co Laois, yesterday, where an 18th century non-motorised St Patrick’s Day parade was held as part of the village’s 300th anniversary celebrations.

The floats included carriages based on the early 1700s, with locals dressed in period costumes cheered on by hundreds of onlookers.

Met Éireann was last night predicting that conditions during today’s celebrations will be bright, cold and dry with light winds, with most areas getting some sunny spells.

Almost 300,000 people were expected to travel through Dublin Airport over the holiday weekend, 7% more than during last year’s festivities.

Management at Cork Airport has predicted 100,000 passengers will come and go over the next 10 days as the Easter holidays are marked next weekend.