They like Saint Patrick so much in Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, they are having two parades in his honour this year.
The first took place this afternoon, 24 hours before the rest of the world joins the party.
Several hundred people took part, with bands from across Northern Ireland, and one from Co Donegal.
It was a diverse gathering that included Highland dancers, Irish dancers, hip hop dancers, a Lithuanian choir, a Mexican band and even astronauts - representing Armagh Observatory.
This was the official council funded parade, while a community parade will take place tomorrow.
The reason - the local council is dominated by unionist politicians, who were concerned that many Protestants might not participate in the parade or turn out to watch it if it was on a Sunday.
"It wasn’t a political decision," explains Ulster Unionist Party councillor Sam Nicholson.
"We wanted the parade to be as inclusive as possible and the reality is that people from my tradition, Protestants, don’t do parades on Sunday.
"Even when the Twelfth of July falls on a Sunday the Orange Order moves its parades to the Monday.
"This was not about excluding anyone, it was a decision aimed at making it as inclusive as possible and people from both traditions took part."
Sinn Féin councillor Gareth Keating described the decision as unfortunate, but said he respected it.
"We are delighted so many people want to celebrate Saint Patrick, and this means Armagh is doing it twice," he said.
"It’s a difficult situation. It would have been much better if people had taken part on St Patrick’s itself, a date that is fixed in the calendar around the world as a global celebration.
"I think once you start shifting the days and dates it starts to politicise something that really shouldn’t be politicised.
"But I’m not going to get involved in people’s religious beliefs. If people hold that view very strongly that is up to them."
The city is home to two Cathedrals, Catholic and Church of Ireland, and two Archbishops, the heads of the two churches in Ireland.
They jointly led today’s parade, and will also take part in a joint celebration tomorrow.
So did it feel odd to be taking part in a St Patrick’s Day parade 24 hours before the actual feast day?
Both said what was important that people celebrated the saint, regardless of when.
"There might be two cathedrals but there’s actually one Saint Patrick, and that really is what we are trying to say about it," said Archbishop Richard Clarke of the Church of Ireland.
"I think it’s really important to remember that Saint Patrick felt that it was his role to unite everyone on this island in the name of Christ," said Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin.
A community parade will take place in the city tomorrow.
Organisers of both parades say they hope the city will hold just next year, when St Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday.
