675,000 line streets for Dublin parade
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
An estimated 675,000 people lined the streets of Dublin for the annual St Patrick's Day parade, according to organisers.
The event, which included 2,000 performers and over 900 marching band members, was one of many taking place around the country - and across the globe - to mark the day.
The parade was led by four Grand Marshalls representing the four winning teams in the GAA Senior Cup Championships
The opening float was also a special tribute to the GAA to mark its 125th anniversary.
International participants included marching bands from the US, Germany and Canada, Bulgarian medieval masked dancers, and Spanish street theatre.
President Mary McAleese was in attendance, and the spectacle was broadcast live on RTÉ 1 television.
Parades were held in towns across the country, along with a range of other cultural events.
Gardaí estimated that 60,000 people turned up to watch Limerick's parade.
In Cork city, some 50,000 people watched the city's celebration.
The day is being celebrated around the world, particularly in the US, where New York's Empire State building will be lit up in green.
- St Patrick's Day Festival Parade: St Patrick's Day Festival Parade
- St Patrick's Day Festival Parade: St Patrick's Day Festival Parade
- Six One News: Siún Nic Gearailt reports on the celebrations in Dublin, where up to 675,000 people turned out to watch the spectacle
- Six One News: Jennie O'Sullivan reports that Cork City held a Cosmic Chaos parade to mark the UN International Year of Astronomy
- Six One News: Cathy Halloran, Mid-West Correspondent, reports RTÉ presenter Emma O'Driscoll got the Limerick parade off to a glorious start
- Six One News: Teresa Mannion, Regional Reporter, says over 2000 people took part in the Galway parade
- Six One News: Damien Tiernan, South-East Correspondent, reports that Michael Valentine Doonican stole the show in Waterford
- Six One News: Brendan Wright reports that X-Factor runner-up Eoghan Quigg performed at the Belfast parade
- Six One News: Eileen Magnier, North-West Correspondent, reports that GAA clubs were out in force in Sligo
- Six One News: Paschal Sheehy, Southern Editor, reports that there was a distinctly German feel to the Tralee celebrations
- Six One News: Ciarán Mullooly, Midlands Correspondent, reports that spectators in Mullingar were treated to performances from two samba bands
- Six One News: Flor MacCarthy reports on the New York event, which has become the largest and most famous of St Patrick's Day parades
- Six One News: Damien Tiernan, South-East Correspondent, reports Wexford's biggest parade in years boosted pipe bands and scout groups
- Six One News: Richard Dowling, North-East Correspondent reports Jimmy Magee was the Grand Marshal at the Dundalk parade
- Six One News: Damien Tiernan reports that the Clara parade attracted a record crowd this year
- Six One News: Brendan Wright reports that the theme of the Newry parade was the importance of family
- Six One News: Mary Fanning reports that three marching bands showed off their proud sporting tradition in the Kilcock parade
- Six One News: Paschal Sheehy reports that Killarney used its parade to send out the message that the tourist town is open for business
- Six One News: Cathy Halloran reports it was a special day of festivities at Bunratty Folk Park
- Six One News: Áine Ní Bhreisleáin reports that several hundred people turned out for the celebrations in Falcarragh in Donegal
- Six One News: Richard Dowling reports that the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car came to Kells for the annual parade
- Six One News: Teresa Mannion reports that Swinford in Co Mayo celebrated its 57th parade this year
- Six One News: Mícheál Ó Leidhin reports on the traditional Irish celebrations on Achill Island
- Six One News: Watch the video clip of an ancient painting depicting St Patrick's Day celebrations
- Six One News: Paul Cunningham reports that the city's police force was given the honour of opening San Francisco's parade
- Six One News: Margaret Ward, Foreign Editor, reports that outdoor parades were banned in Beijing
- Six One News: Richard Dowling reports on the varied array of people and vehicles that turned out for the Cavan parade
- Six One News: Ciarán Mullooly reports that the theme of the parade in the Co Laois town of Mountmellick was Reach For The Stars
- Six One News: Damien Tiernan reports that there were over 50 entries in the Dungarvan parade
- Six One News: Eileen Magnier reports the Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim, parade banned people with glum faces
- Six One News: Micheal Fisher reports Monaghan brass band provided the music as the county's parade made its way through the town
- Morning Ireland: Evelyn McClafferty speaks to attendees at Dublin's Liberty Hall about what it means to be Irish
- Morning Ireland: Marcus McInnes, pix.ie founder, talks about a special project on St Patrick's Day
- News At One: Jonathan Clynch reports that roughly 500,000 people turned out for the parade in Dublin
- News At One: Jennie O'Sullivan reports on the day's festivities from Cork
- News At One: Teresa Mannion reports on Galway's festival, entitled 'A Celebration of the Sea'
- News At One: Cathy Halloran reports on the sights and sounds of the Limerick parade
