The delayed St Patrick's Day Festival got underway last night with a torch light parade in Dublin.
Thousands of transition year students converged on the Liffey quays as 100 drummers beat out a highly-charged rhythm across the river.
The parade used the River Liffey as a focal point for Dubliners and was the first in a three-year development project to foster creativity and teamwork. It is hoped transition year students will provide similar projects on St Patrick's eve for the next two years.
Today's 'Big Day Out' will see street performers, musicians and an inflatable village continue the festivities in Westmoreland Street, Dame Street and College Green beginning at 12 noon, before the Skyfest fireworks spectacular this evening.
The fireworks are being organised by Syd Howard International, responsible for the explosive ending to last year's Sydney Olympics. It can be viewed from Sir John Rogerson's Quay to Capel Street Bridge or viewed live on ireland.comat www.ireland.com/events/st.patricks/may2001/live/video.htm.
The 'Big Day Out' continues this evening with 'Joy' featuring a Brazilian samba rhythm called ljexa which means energy. The carnival will wind its way through Dublin's north inner city and dance along Sean McDermott Street warming up the crowds before reaching Talbot Bridge for the finale at 9.30 p.m. Skyfest will begin at 10 p.m.
Tomorrow, festival organisers expect up to 500,000 people will be in the city centre for the St Patrick's Day Parade itself, which starts from St Patrick's Cathedral at 2 p.m.