St Patrick’s day – a round up of celebrations around the country for all the family

St Patrick's day brings back such happy memories for me.

We would go to the parade with my dad, decked out in our green ribbons, catching sweets while happily perched on his shoulders. At home, my mum would have a big spread ready for us and even dye the 7Up green with food dye. Now, I look forward to creating similar magical memories with my little ones. Here is our guide to events around the country to celebrate everything about being Irish: 1. Dublin This is a big one. The festival itself runs from March 16-19 with funfairs, games and tours around the city but it is the HUGE parade that weaves its way down O'Connell Street and through the heart of the city on Friday the 17th that attracts the most crowds. Last year half a million people turned up to see the parade. It all kicks off at 12.01 pm. This year the theme is Ireland You Are...so you can expect a flourish of colour and flair with bands and music celebrations from around 3,000 performers from around the world. This spectacular procession will be a memory your children will never forget. If you want a little more action you can also head to Merrion Square and Custom House Quay where festival funfairs will be kicking off. Expect walzers, carousel and the rest.. opening times on the 17th and 18th  at 11am to 9pm and from 11am- 9p on the 19th. Get your dancing shoes on and join the world’s largest outdoor céilí, a celebration of traditional Irish dancing. This Is Happening. Pop into Earlsfort Terrace Thursday the 16th of March at 4.30pm for some serious dancing fun. Learn the steps, enjoy traditional live music and soak up the atmosphere on the streets of Dublin! 2.  Cork  Cork city comes to live on St  Patrick's day in serious style. The main parade through the city centre starts at 1pm on Friday 17th March. Sample tasty treats at the pop-up festival market, listen to some traditional Irish music at the Lee Sessions, take a tour, see an exhibition or go to a show

Great to see so many international groups participating in @corkpaddysfest Parade. #ourcouncilday #mexicansincork #filipinosincork pic.twitter.com/N67wisWrl7

— Cork Paddys Festival (@corkpaddysfest) March 7, 2017

3. Galway Thousands will throng the streets of Galway City for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade which is based around the enviroment. That is to acknowledge the city's title as an EU Green leaf City. Record-breaking Irish solo rower Gavan Hennigan will be the guest of honour for this year’s parade which kicks off  11.30am, will take its traditional route, assembling at Father Griffin Road finishing at the start of Prospect Hill.

Me dancing to Galway Girl at the St Patrick's Day parade this weekend pic.twitter.com/ooyTABsrf7

— Karaline (@car0lineve) March 8, 2017

4. Limerick  80,000 people are expected to line the streets of Limerick City from midday on Friday 17th March for Ireland’s largest regional St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year the theme is ‘Our Stories, this is where we belong’ The aim of this year’s theme is that through story-telling, we celebrate where we belong and that Limerick will bring its own story to life on the streets of Limerick for our national holiday. Keep your eyes out for the greening of iconic buildings around the world. Now in its eighth year, you can expect to see landmarks such as the World Trade Center, Placa de Catlunya in Barcelona, the Empire State Building in NYC and the Colosseum in Rome as well as our own cityscapes here in Ireland.   Tourism Minister Shane Ross said he has delighted to see that fortunes of other nations like Ireland is recognised so visually around the globe. No matter where or how you are spending your St Patrick's day we hope you have a fantastic day. Just don't forget the green lemonade!