LAST UPDATE | 17 Mar 2022
ST PATRICK’S DAY celebrations returned across the country today, as towns and cities throughout Ireland attended parades following a two-year absence.
An estimated 400,000 people attended the parade in Dublin, which began at 12pm on Parnell Square and finished on Kevin Street at around 2pm.
The crowds, packed with people from home and abroad, were wowed by a selection of colourful floats and musical performances.
The parade began with a show of solidarity for the people of Ukraine, with Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland and Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko exchanging national symbols – a bowl of shamrocks and a bouquet of sunflowers.
A group of Irish and Ukrainian people carried the country’s flags to open the parade. Carlow medical student Racheal Diyaolu, who fled Ukraine following the invasion, was among the group.
Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners Kellie Harrington and Ellen Keane were Grand Marshals for this year’s parade, the theme of which was ‘Connections’.
The international guest of honour was Irish-American actor John C Reilly.
Harrington said it was “fantastic” to be chosen as a grand marshal.
“For myself and Ellen to be grand marshals, two female athletes, it’s amazing and it shows the strength in female sport, it’s always been there,” she said.
“To be chosen to walk through our city as grand marshals is fantastic. It’s great to show younger kids coming up that if they work hard they can achieve anything.”
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina also attended the parade. President Higgins spoke about the conflict in Ukraine and commended the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“Everybody admires the values that are being released in people at survival, and that’s why they deserve the support of the whole world in their survival, and also the strength they’re showing against such an appalling, immoral and illegal activity,” he said.
Here are some photos of today’s festivities in Dublin:
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