St Patrick’s Day 2015

Lá Fhéile Phadraig shona daoibh! Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all! Wherever you are in the world, we hope you get a little piece of time to day to celebrate your connection to the Emerald Isle.

We have some great photographs of the Dublin St Patrick’sDay parades through the years which might bring back some nostalgic memories. If not, their contrast to the glittery parade we will see in today’s Dublin will certainly amuse. Take a look through and enjoy!

This slightly sinister contingent from Bundoran in the 1954 parade would not exactly have encouraged me to holiday there, despite knowing what a beauty spot the place is. I'd be too fearful of meeting scary clowns and giant babies!

St Patrick's Day parade, 1954

Though maybe a couple of pints afterwards would help calm me down.

Drowning the shamrock in 1961.

The floats will all have been prepared well in advance, of course, like this Smithwick's float from 1962. The craft and ingenuity that goes into those creations remains as strong today as 50 years ago.

Smithwick's preparing their float in 1962.

But make sure you get out early, because all the good spots get snapped up fast. Perching at the feet of Daniel O'Connell was popular in 1976, and no doubt will be in 2015 as well. 

There's always a struggle for the best vantage point.

Have a great day, everybody!