Over three days on the Grand Parade, overlooking the River Lee, mayhem and colour will be set loose, with musicians, food, street performers, and fun.

The whole world is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! And Dublin is the stage for the biggest and best St. Patrick’s celebrations in the world, the St. Patrick’s Festival. From March 12th – 17th thousands of Irish people and visitors alike will paint the town green for five fantastic, fun-filled days.

As the world is celebrating St. Patrick's day the Irish Radio from Dublin is reporting that close to half a million people gather in Dublin for the St. Patrick's Parade.

It seems like everything I read today is a variation on “Why do people celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?” “What’s the meaning of Saint Patrick’s Day?” “Why do people get drunk on Saint Patrick’s Day?” etc…so I thought I’d save myself a lot of typing and just write this here.

Today, March 17, is the feast of St. Patrick of Armagh, Enlightener of Ireland. Because this St. Patrick's day is also the Monday of Holy Week for Western Christians (as well as some Eastern Catholics, and Orthodox in Finland and some in Estonia) - the earliest it's come since 1856 - some towns and churches held St. Patrick’s Day parades and services last week.

Each year for Saint Patrick's Day, I pull out my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe and start baking. Sometimes, we'll even eat three loaves all before Saint Patrick's Day has even arrived.