St Patrick's Day parades ready to kick off

St Patrick's Day celebrations are kicking off today in towns and cities across Ireland and the world.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to the parades with thousands of performers travelling from the four corners of the globe to take part in festivities.

In Dublin, around 650,000 people are expected to attend the parade which will be led by International soccer legend Packie Bonner.

Cork's parade will have a nautical theme, entitled "Ship to Shore".

Rugby hero Keith Earls is Grand Marshal for the Limerick parade, which kicks off at 12pm on O'Connell St, and has more than 3,000 participants.

The Galway parade starts art 12.30.

Waterford's 'Through the Looking Glass'-themed parade will celebrate the history of Waterford Glass in the city. That parade starts at 1pm.