The theme for this years St Patricks Day has been announced as 'one', encouraging people from all over the world to come to Dublin to connect, participate and to celebrate together as one.
The parade will take place on the streets of the capital on Friday, March 17 and will include "an interactive augmented reality (AR) element in the parade for the very first time", a spokesperson for the festival said.
"With half a million spectators expected to line this year’s route, the Parade will feature 7 creative pageants, 10 transitional showpiece performances, 15 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and Canada," the festival said.
Read more: Dublin man killed in US crash to be repatriated back home as tributes pour in
In the lead up to the festival, a new strand of the festivities for 2023 include 'Suntas' (take notice). There will be "giant creative interventions on iconic buildings around Dublin, adding layers of storytelling and intrigue and animating the city in the run up to the festival."
"As the city turns Green in preparation for the St. Patrick’s festivities, city-dwellers will begin to notice the arrival of Ollphéist (giant monsters), as they take over some of the city’s best-known buildings." Aerial artists 'Fidget Feet' will also put on a surprise show in a spectacular high-flying display.
There are a number of activities returning to the festival this year, including Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Running from 16th to 18th of March, it will see the grounds of this historic site turned into a magical day-to-night urban festival.
On the night of St. Patricks day, there will be live traditional Irish music on the grounds of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) with artisits Kíla + Brass Band, The Bonny Men and Jiggy. There will also be festival quarter nights will take place every night after 6pm, with bars and food villages.
Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin said: “It is said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and we welcome that inclusion warmly. It is a day to celebrate our heritage and our history and we invite the world to join in the 2023 celebrations."
"There is so much to enjoy from the 16th to the 19th, from song, story and performance, to film, theatre, tours, food and so much more," Richard Tierney CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival added.
For information on all of the events running visit the St. Patricks festival website here.
Read more:
