St Patrick's Day celebrations, which were postponed due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, are to go ahead in Dublin two months late.
In March 2001 the St Patrick's Day parade and festival were put on hold over an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. In order to prevent the spread of the disease restrictions on travel were put in place.
A month later organisers received government backing for three days of festivities on 18, 19 and 20 May with the promise of being the best St Patrick's Festival ever. It is hoped that the festival will attract over a million people to the Irish capital as well as over 4,000 performers generating up to £35 million for the city.
Reporter Michael O'Kane speaks to festival organiser Maria Moynihan about the event and whether the festival should make a permanent move from March to May. However reaction on the streets of Dublin to celebrating St Patrick's Day in May was mixed.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 April 2001. The reporter is Michael O'Kane.
