Pure greenius

Towns and cities prepare to celebrate Ireland's patron saint. Streets promise to be a riot of colour, song & dance

- BY BARBARA MCCARTHY

ST Patrick's Day festivities kick off this week with events all over the country marking our patron saint.

The capital hosts the biggest parade, attracting half a million visitors to see over 4,000 pageants and performers. But there's lots more happening nationwide. Here's our guide to what's on around Ireland for Paddy's Day.

In DUBLIN, actress Victoria Smurfit is the Grand Marshal of this year's parade, the centrepiece of the four-day festival from March 14 to 17.

Marching bands, performers, dancers, extravagant floats and showpieces will bring life to the streets for the two-hour spectacle.

For the first time, Dublin Zoo has two showpieces. A spokesman said they will be a showcase of wildlife, culture and creativity and while the plans are secret for now, people should expect: “a GIANT surprise”.

Another much-loved event at the festival is the return of the treasure hunt through the city streets.

The theme is Adventures and registration takes place between 10am and 12pm with the event starting and ending at Dublin City Council's Civic Offices on Wood Quay.

The Ceili Mor is back in Merrion Square on St Patrick's Day with former Riverdancer Dearbhla Lennon leading the jig. Bewley's on Grafton Street also has a great programme of events.

RAP

On Saturday, listen to or participate in poetry, rap, music, storytelling and more with the Forget Me Nots community choir performing. On Sunday, there's more music and spoken word and a live podcast hosted by Kevin McGahern.

For the first time, the celebrations go into the night, with St Patrick's After Dark, a late-night programme from Friday to Sunday dedicated to electronic music and club culture.