Revellers dance at St Patrick's Ceili

The St Patrick's Festival Ceili is currently underway at St Stephen's Green in Dublin.

The St Patrick's Festival Ceili is currently underway at St Stephen's Green in Dublin.

The event features music from Pádraig Ó Sé, Gary O'Brien and friends, and Donegal fiddle players FIDIL, made up of Aidan O'Donnell, Damien McGeehan and Ciaran Ó Maoinigh.

Two dancing cows, complete with blond curly wigs and Irish dancing costumes, have been leading the crowds in the Walls of Limerick, the Bridge of Athlone and other popular dances.

After a slow beginning, the ceili generated quite a buzz at the corner of St Stephen's Green and Dawson Street where the stage was erected.

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Tourists in leprechaun hats have been joined by students and commuters on their way home from work all intent on enjoying the music and having a go at the dances.

The three-hour event includes dancing displays from the Cunningham family from Connemara, who manage to make sean nos dancing look cool.

Master of ceremonies for the evening is well-known dancer and TV personality Dearbhla Lennon.

A spokeswoman for the St Patrick's Day Festival said the ceili was hugely popular with Dublin people and with visitors and had been relocated this year from Earlsfort Terrace to St Stephen's Green to give people more space to dance.

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and former Irish Times journalist