Dublin to welcome the world with festival that caters for all

It might not be the biggest parade in the world but Dublin is surely one of the best spots to be for the St Patrick’s Day bash.

Quite apart from the parade on the day itself, the St Patrick’s Day Festival this year runs until Bank Holiday Monday, with the more than 120,000 overseas visitors expected to spend in excess of €50m, giving city pubs and businesses a much welcome boost.

The parade itself starts at 12pm, with the 2.5km route beginning on Parnell Square, continuing on to O’Connell St and over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland St. It then winds its way down Dame St and Lord Edward St passing by Christchurch Cathedral and along Patrick St where it finishes just past St Patrick’s Cathedral.