The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty has been named grand marshal for the national St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin next month.
The broadcaster and comedian, from Dundrum, Co Down, said: "It's such a honour to be asked and I was genuinely gobsmacked when the call came in.
"When you’re lucky enough to be called Patrick, St Patrick’s Day always feels like an extra birthday and I can’t wait to get the world’s biggest party started on March 17th."
The theme of this year's festival and parade is spréach - the Irish word for spark.
Half a million spectators are expected to line this year’s route and the parade will feature 18 pageants and performance showpieces, 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over 4,000 participants.
Chair of the St Patrick's Day Festival Maree Gallagher said this year's parade will be the "biggest ever".
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Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Ms Gallagher said the team was "looking forward to showing Dublin in its best light" following last year's riots in the capital.
"The festival team works hand-in-hand with the gardaí and Dublin City Council, so there is always very tight security around the festival," she said.
The team had "been delivering the festival without incident for many years", she said.
"There's international media, the US media cover it," Ms Gallagher said.
"We get fantastic coverage, so it's a really great opportunity for us to show Dublin at its best."
Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste said: "The national St Patrick’s Day Parade is one of our most special occasions, celebrating the spréach of the people of Ireland, which unites us all both here in Dublin and across the globe.
"As my first St Patrick’s Festival as Lord Mayor of Dublin, I am so looking forward to watching the many pageants and marching bands that make up this spectacular event.
"It’s also Patrick Kielty’s first year in his role as host of the iconic Late Late Show, and so I’m delighted to see him selected as our Grand Marshal for this year’s Parade.
"I’d encourage everyone to come together and enjoy all that the city has to offer this St. Patrick’s Day."
The parade will be broadcast live on RTÉ One television and around the world on the RTÉ Player.
