DUBLIN
MYTHS and legends is the theme of this year's parade, which promises to be the most extravagant display of commercially sponsored and community linked theatrical pageantry ever to be seen on the streets of Dublin. Starting outside Christ Church Cathedral at noon, the lord Mayor's horse drawn coach, together with the Dublin Fire Brigade pipe Band and the Army No 1 band, will lead the colourful ensemble down Dame street to College Green, around the corner toe Westmoreland Street and up O'Connell Street to finish in Parnell Square.
Watch out for the creme de la creme of street performers, Macnas, whose experienced cattle drovers will be trying to control their wild beasts from the west on the streets of the capital. Also, keep an eye out for Dreams of Aengus, a performance piece by Down to Earth theatre company which combines dance with music, acrobatics and circus. And then there's a 97 piece samba band, wildly drawing links between an Irish legend, Hy Breasail and Brazil; giant figures celebrating the street styles of teddy boys, mods and rockers, hippies and punks; Beauty and the Beast; Granuaile Jonah and the Whale; the Dragon; St Patrick himself; and marching bands galore.
Finally, a word of advice to those who want to see the parade as opposed to somebody else's back get into town early and take up your position. There will be many a wandering minstrel keeping early comers amused on the parade route from about 10.30 a.m. Spot prizes will be given to those wearing the zaniest green woollies.
CORK
THE Boston Police Gaelic Column winners of the best pipe band in 1996 - are back in the southern capital to defend their title this year. The parade begins at 2.30 p.m. at St Patrick's Bridge, following its traditional route down Patrick Street, Grand Parade and around to the reviewing stand in the South Mall. This year's grand marshal is gaelic footballer Dave Barry.
GALWAY
ALTHOUGH losing its homegrown talent Macnas to the Dublin parade, the city of the tribes will be brewing up some street performances nonetheless with participating groups including An Taibhdhearc and the Flying Pig Theatre.
With up to 35 groups taking part, the parade starts at noon in Dominick Street Lower and follows a route through Mainguard Street, Shop Street, William Street on to Eyre Square North.
LIMERICK
ALREADY in festive mood with marching bands parading the streets today and tomorrow as part of the Limerick International Band Festival, Limerick city will host a St Patrick's Day parade with up to 60 floats. With John Hunt of the recently opened Hunt Museum taking on the honorary role of grand marshal, the parade will start from Sarsfield Barracks at 11.30 a.m. moving down O'Connell Street to end at Arthur's Quay. Watch out for the Birr Historical Centre float and the street enactment of the current boundary battle between Limerick Corporation and Limerick County Council by Foynes based theatre group, Samhlu.
KILLARNEY
KEEPING the mood of its annual Roaring Twenties festival, the St Patrick's Day parade in Killarney takes on the fashions and frolics of the 1920s. With up to 50 floats participating, including the Eighth Hussar Buke German trumpet marching band, the parade begins in Ross Road at 2.30 p.m. and moves to East Avenue, College Street, Main Street, and ends in High Street carpark. Vintage car lovers should get to see some sparkling models in town for the weekend.
ATHLONE
STARTING from Golden Island at 3 p.m., the St Patrick's Day parade features the Athlone Brass and Reid band - local drama and youth groups and contingents from the Irish Army and FCA. The route is from Church Street to St Peter's Square, Athlone Castle to finish on Battery Bridge.
DOWNPATRICK
APPROPRIATELY, the largest St Patrick's Day parade in Northern Ireland takes place in Downpatrick at the culmination of a week long series of talks, walks, cultural and religious events. Up to 3,000 people are expected to take part in this year's parade, including traditional and accordion bands and one or two pipe samba bands. The parade begins outside the Downshire Hospital at 2.30 p.m. to pass through Edward Street, John Street, Irish Street, and Market Street.
BELFAST
THE West Belfast community festival Feile an Phobail has organised a St Patrick's Day family parade starting at the Westwood Shopping Centre at 11 a.m.
NEWRY
THE St Patrick's bay parade in Newry is part of an all day long celebration which includes traditional Irish and jazz street music, children's street entertainment and a ceili. The parade itself begins at 12.30 p.m. in the Downshire Road Car Park, following a route down Kildare Street over the Savoy Bridge into Monaghan Street, Patrick Street, Francis Street, along Buttercrane Quay into William Street.
