St Patrick’s Day celebrations are underway across the globe, but arguably the best place to be is Temple Bar in the heart of Ireland’s capital city.
The iconic Dublin area is synonymous with Irish culture and each year on March 17 thousands of revellers head there to ‘drown their sorrows’ and celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.
That came to an abrupt halt in 2020, when the first Covid case was detected in Ireland and the country went into a major lockdown. A stay-at-home order was issued, businesses and schools shut, and the St Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled outright.
READ MORE: St Patrick's Day Ireland 2022 LIVE updates: Pub changes, Temple Bar scenes and garda warning
Little did we know it would continue into 2021 - but after two long years, in-person St Patrick’s Day celebrations have made a triumphant return.
Crowds have been flocking to Temple Bar since early morning and filling it up with green clothes, novelty hats, Irish flags and shamrocks.
Live webcam footage shows crazy crowds celebrating St Patrick’s Day in the area.
However the pictures are a startling contrast to the scenes on the same day two years ago.
Swipe to see Temple Bar St Patrick's Day 2020 vs Temple Bar St Patrick's Day 2022
People have been reacting to the joyful scenes online, with many wishing they could be there.
“Wish I was there, Slainte!” one person wrote.
Another added: “Brill to see after two years. Enjoy all.
A third wrote: “Omg I wanna be drunk in Dublin right now on some green beer lol.”
Others however weren’t fans.
“Jesus.... Carnage.... No thanks,” one person wrote.
Another added: “The camera on Temple Bar today is giving me major anxiety.”
“Who is that even fun for?” another asked.
An estimated 400,000 people descended on the capital for the national St Patrick’s Day parade bringing a €70million windfall, while tens of thousands packed out towns and cities across the island.
The Dublin parade, with Hollywood star John C Reilly as special guest, was beamed to 144 countries.
Festival director Karen Walshe said yesterday: “Ireland is back, post-pandemic. Ireland is officially open again.”
READ MORE: Live webcam shows Temple Bar absolutely wedged with St Patrick’s Day revellers at just 10am
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