Thousands of people have shared videos and images online with #RTEVirtualParade.

From Clare to Chile, Budapest to Ballina, people dusted off their dancing shoes for a jig to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

While the public health message here remains stay at home, people were encouraged to hold their own parades within the safety of their families and homes. 

Many children celebrated the day of Ireland's Patron saint yesterday in school, but they were up early to get their procession of teddies, trucks, and green trinkets ready to go. 

#RTEVirtualParade has been trending on Twitter in Ireland all day and there have been thousands of posts from home and abroad. 

Some told the story of St Patrick in their own words, including two young girls decided to re-enact St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland with jelly worms.

Children in Killorglin in Kerry carried a cut out Sam Maguire in their floats, while one musical family used the Hamiliton soundtrack to tell the story of our patron saint.

Many people remembered the times when people could gather for parades in towns and villages, including Matthew Macklin, who created a full Clones town parade with Lego characters. The parade was set on the eve of St Patrick's day with all the businesses of the town represented with floats. 

There were also contributions from frontline workers; the firefighters at Dublin Fire Brigade sent their Patrick's Day wishes and healthcare workers in Crumlin Children's Hospital did a jig and patients got a chance to parade in the corridors.

The videos have been a viral hit helping people isolated due to the pandemic celebrate together online.

Culture Ireland has an online festival 'Seoda', which includes many of Ireland's best known artists and companies and covers all art forms from architecture to visual arts.

This five-day festival, running from today until 21 March, aims to ensure Irish artists reach audiences worldwide, including the diaspora and new audiences where Irish artists may not have travelled previously.

The festival is also available free online on Culture Ireland's YouTube channel.