DUBLIN (AP) — The streets of Dublin were awash with green on March 17, 2025, as hundreds of thousands gathered to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the national holiday honoring Ireland’s patron saint. Officials estimated around half a million spectators lined the parade route, which was vibrant with colorful floats, energetic performances, and enthusiastic dancers.
Everywhere you looked, people embraced the festive spirit: many waved the Irish tricolor flag, adorned their faces with patriotic paint, and donned leprechaun hats or various shades of green. Among the joyful crowd were about 4,000 parade participants, which included 12 marching bands from Ireland, North America, and even Austria.
St. Patrick’s Day, marked annually on March 17, coincides with the traditional death date of the country’s patron saint and has developed over the years to encapsulate not just its religious significance but also the celebration of Irish culture and heritage around the globe. Surprisingly, the first St. Patrick's Day parades originated among Irish immigrant communities way back in the 1700s, primarily within the United States, and have since morphed to become integral events, with New York City's parade often touted as the largest.
Despite the history, Ireland today has become one of the focal points for St. Patrick's festivities, drawing approximately 100,000 international tourists every year who come to witness the celebrations firsthand. Smaller parades took place across the country, from urban centers like Limerick and Cork to the northern reaches of Belfast on the same day.
Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Kate, Princess of Wales, made her own mark on March 17 by visiting the Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks. Sporting a forest green long coat and matching hat, Kate presented fresh shamrock sprigs and awarded medals to the soldiers during their parade, enjoying good cheer with them afterward as she shared laughs over a half pint of Guinness. This visit came as she resumed public duties after battling cancer last year, indicating her full return to engagement with public life.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, cities across the United States were filled with similar merriment. New York City brought its own distinct flair, with school marching bands and traditional Irish pipe and drum ensembles parading down the iconic Fifth Avenue. Amid light morning rain showers, Mayor Eric Adams donned green apparel and waved the Irish flag, greeting parade participants, including Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who was dressed in the national colors of Ireland: green, white, and orange.
“It’s fantastic to be here,” said Ryan Hanlon, vice chairman of the parade’s board of directors, with the weather challenges met with classic Irish humor, “We’re getting a little bit of rain at the moment, but as we Irish call it, it’s just liquid sunshine.”
Simultaneously, the festivities unfolded far south of Manhattan, with Savannah, Georgia hosting the South’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Thousands of revelers dressed up in bright green costumes crowding the sidewalks, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere filled with music and laughter. Lindsey Dodd, a long-time participant, expressed her excitement: “I just enjoy the festivities, people watching, the chaos. There’s just something special about Savannah.”
Celebrations were not confined to major cities; Hot Springs, Arkansas claims to host the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stretching just 98 feet, attracting both local and visiting participants. Meanwhile, Chicago had already painted its iconic river bright green on March 15, leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, and traditional parades took place in Boston and Philadelphia on March 16.
Even the White House joined the celebrations by dyeing the waters of the fountain on the North Lawn green, continuing the tradition started during Barack Obama’s presidency, providing yet another nod to the Irish heritage celebrated throughout the nation.
Reflecting on the parades which began as expressions of solidarity among Irish immigrants faced with discrimination, it is remarkable how St. Patrick's Day now celebrates not only Irish heritage but the spirit of community and togetherness forged from those humble beginnings. From elaborate parades to the quiet enjoyment of gatherings over pints of Guinness, March 17 remains a day for celebrating the Irish spirit, wherever it might be found.
