Brendan O'Carroll named St Patrick's parade Grand Marshall

Brendan O'Carroll is to be the Grand Marshall of this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The actor and comedian, best known for portraying Agnes Brown in Mrs Brown's Boys, will lead the Festival Parade in the capital on March 17.

The announcement was made by festival organisers at an event in Dublin city centre this morning.

Festivities to mark St Patrick's Day will run from March 14 – 17.