Coronavirus restrictions meant Saint Patrick's Day is a very different occasion in Ireland and abroad.
A Saint Patrick's Day unlike any other meant that parades and other public events around the country were cancelled due to the need for social distancing.
The Saint Patrick's Day Festival parade usually attracts hundreds of thousands to Dublin, but this year city streets were almost deserted.
O'Connell Street in Dublin almost empty with no parade, no crowds, no viewing stand and no visiting dignitaries. There were similar scenes around the country.
The global greening event did go ahead with landmarks around the world lighting up in green to mark Saint Patrick's Day. Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland, said there was huge international demand to go ahead with the greening event, a testament to the power of the Irish diaspora.
It shines a light on Ireland at a really positive time of year and makes people think of home.
A stripped back Riverdance performed in London to mark the 25th anniversary of the show. Members of the Irish Defence Forces on overseas duty sent St Patrick's Day messages home. Lt Col Oliver Dwyer, Officer Commanding UNDOF, representing the 60th Infantry Group serving with the United Nations in the Golan and Syria. Lt Col Robert Hurley, Officer Commanding 115 Infantry Battalion, also had greetings for family and friends back home and assured that they were making every effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in South Lebanon.
While most public events and masses were cancelled, many churches sounded their bells to mark Saint Patrick's Day. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said the bells were a message of hope and solidarity.
Together we can fight this deadly virus.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 March 2020. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
