Country celebrates St Patrick's Day after three-year gap as Covid cases are on the rise again

"I think the message is to enjoy Patrick's Day and take basic precautions in terms of your own health and in terms of the Covid situation," Micheál Martin said.

The country will today enjoy its first full St Patrick's Day celebrations since 2019 with thousands taking to the streets for parades in every town and city.

The Taoiseach has tested positive for Covid just hours before he was due to meet US president Joe Biden in Washington DC.