St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have started in Dublin with a big parade. Revelers in green hats, costumes and Irish flags paraded through Dublin and other Irish towns and villages. According to the 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.
The American actor Patrick Duffy (“Dallas”), who was there as an international guest of honor with Irish roots, celebrated his 74th birthday at the same time and blew out candles on a large green cake. However, his wish – “no rain” – was not fulfilled everywhere in Ireland.
March 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick (around 385-461), who was involved in spreading the Christian faith on the “Emerald Isle” in the 5th century. Irish emigrants also brought celebrations in honor of their national saint to the United States. There are now parades in many countries on St. Patrick’s Day.
US President Joe Biden was scheduled 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 the Irish Guards in the English town of Aldershot to mark the holiday.
