Over 1,000 gardaí will be on duty in Dublin city centre on St Patrick's Day and no alcohol will be sold by off-licenses until after the parade.
Details of the policing plan for this year's event were unveiled in the Mansion House, with organisers and gardaí promising a "safe" and "family friendly event".
Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said there will be "a comprehensive policing plan in place to ensure all participants, spectators and visitors can enjoy the festivities in a safe and secure family friendly environment".
There will be 1,000 gardaí on duty, both in uniform and plain clothes, between 6am on Monday 17 March until 6am on 18 March.
Mr Cleary said a water unit and other specialist units will be on standby.
No alcohol will be sold in off-licenses in the city centre until after the parade.
Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin said this measure, which was undertaken voluntarily by off-licenses, "is critical to the success of making St Patrick’s Day family friendly".
Once the parade has finished the so-called 'Temple Bar Policing Plan' will be implemented and gardaí also say there will be a policing plan in place for the night.
Those travelling into the city are warned of significant road closures with full details available on the garda website.
There will be checkpoints on entry routes into the city, "street checks" and policing on public transport to ensure alcohol is not being brought into the city centre during the sale ban.
'Plan well in advance'
St Patrick’s Festival CEO Richard Tierney promised a "really exciting festival", which kickstarts on the 15 March with the "legendary treasure hunt" around the city.
He expects around 750 families to take part.
Mr Tiernay advised those aiming to attend the weekend’s celebrations to "plan well in advance".
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme, he said over half a million people are expected to attend the Dublin parade on Monday.
The theme of this year’s festival and parade is ‘Eachtraí’, the Irish word for Adventures and Mr Tierney said it mirrors the "adventurous spirit we have as a nation".
"You'll see that reflected in the creative presentation during the parade," he added.
Mr Tierney said the vast majority of events over the course of the celebrations will be free of charge, with a "comprehensive programme" in place for the bank holiday weekend.
"The strategy has always been to give Dublin a hug, to bring people into the city to experience our amazing capital city, while also enjoying the St Patrick’s Day celebrations," he said.
