03/17/2023 17:20 (act. 03/17/2023 17:20)
Great St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin ©APA/AFP
St Patrick’s Day celebrations kicked off in Dublin with a huge parade. Revelers in green hats, costumes and Irish flags paraded through Dublin and other Irish cities and towns. According to broadcaster RTE, up to 450,000 people were expected in the Irish capital at the parade, in which 4,200 musicians, artists and acrobats were involved.
American actor Patrick Duffy (“Dallas”), who was the international guest of honor with Irish roots, celebrated his 74th birthday around the same time and blew out the candles on a large green cake. However, his wish – “no rain” – was not fulfilled across Ireland.
March 17th marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick (circa 385-461), who was involved in spreading the Christian faith to the “Emerald Isle” in the 5th century. Irish emigrants also brought celebrations in honor of their national saint for the United States. There are now parades in many countries on St. Patrick’s Day.
US President Joe Biden was to receive Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House in Washington on Friday in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Prince William and his wife Princess Kate visited Irish Guards in the English town of Aldershot to mark the holiday.