The deferred St Patrick's Day celebrations took off last night with fire and noise. Four torchlight processions of transition-year students converged on the Liffey quays in Dublin and 100 drummers vied with each other across the river. The events continue today, and what is described as "Ireland's premier street carnival" runs throughout the weekend.
Despite the deferment from St Patrick's weekend, organisers expect similar high attendances as last year. Then more than 500,000 people turned out for the St Patrick's Day parade. The festival's chief executive, Ms Maria Moynihan, doesn't expect cynicism to keep people away.
Starting at 12 p.m., street performers, a line-up of musical talent including Naimee Coleman, Bellefire and Relish, an inflatable village and stage performances create the carnival atmosphere for today's big day out in Westmoreland Street, Dame Street and College Green.
The Afoxe Brazilian dance carnival will warm up the crowds between 8 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. before what is for many the pinnacle of the festival, tonight's 7up Skyfest fireworks spectacular, starting at 10 p.m.
The fireworks are being choreographed by Syd Howard International, which was responsible for the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony display and last week's English FA Cup Final fireworks. It has set the firing to a specially commissioned soundtrack that will be "completely different", according to Ms Moynihan, with a far more contemporary flavour than previous years.
The spectacular can be viewed from Sir John Rogerson's Quay to Capel Street Bridge.
The main event, tomorrow's festival parade, is scheduled for the later time of 2 p.m to 4 p.m this year, and though missing the usual foreign participants, the festival director, Mr Dominic Campbell, promises a "uniquely Irish event" offering 11 street theatre groups and 14 bands. The festival organisers urge people to use the foot-and-mouth disinfectant facilities at entrance points to the city centre "party zone".
Traffic restrictions include the closure of Andrew Street, College Green, Dame Lane, Dame Street to George's Street, Suffolk Street, and Westmoreland Street from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today; the closure of Killarney Street and Sean MacDermott Street from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the closure of the quays from Aston Quay to Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Butt Bridge, D'Olier Street, O'Connell Bridge, Tara Street, Talbot Bridge, Westmoreland Street and Parliament Street from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. for the fireworks; and the closure of Patrick Street, Nicholas Street, Christchurch Place, Lord Edward Street, Dame Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Street and Parnell Square tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the parade.
Follow the St Patrick's Day May festival, including fireworks, parades and street theatre, live on the Irish Times website www.ireland.com/ events/st.patricks/may2001/