Irish line streets for St Patrick's Day parades

Hundreds of thousands of people lined Ireland’s streets today as the annual St Patrick’s Day parades got under way.

Towns and cities were celebrating the country’s patron saint with some of the biggest and most colourful marches yet – although a number had to be cancelled due to high insurance costs.

Pop star Samantha Mumba was Grand Marshal at Dublin’s event, which set off on its city centre route at around midday.

Pageants and bands marched through Dame Street and O’Connell Street in the most extravagant St Patrick’s Day parade the capital has ever seen.

Some 3,800 performers – including giant ants and skateboarding pigeons, as well, as more traditional bands – were taking part in the procession.

Along the route 13 street theatre acts and 17 Irish and international bands were set to entertain the crowds.

Extra rail services were being put on to cope with the number of people travelling into the city.

After the parade revellers gathered in St Stephen’s Green for the giant Ceili Mor, where they were invited to try out their dance steps to traditional Irish music.

In Dublin, the St Patrick’s celebrations were not confined to today - there was a whole series of events over the weekend.

Festivities started on Saturday night when some 6,000 fireworks were set off alongside the city quays.

Fairground rides, an inflatable wrestling ring and Paddyoke – Irish-style karaoke – were just a few of the attractions on offer to the thousands of visitors making the most of the bank holiday weekend sunshine yesterday.

Pop acts including Darius, Picture House and Fifth Avenue entertained crowds in the capital’s Merrion Square.

Aer Rianta estimated that around 250,000 people were travelling through Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports over the weekend.

While the public made the most of the celebrations on home ground, three-quarters of the Cabinet were promoting Ireland overseas.

Ten ministers, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, were visiting North America, justice minister Michael McDowell was in China, and others flew to Brazil, Cyprus, Norway and other countries.