Liam Cunningham braved the snow today to head into Dublin city centre where he was announced as 2018's St. Patrick's Festival Grand Marshal, but sure what's a bit of snow to the man who spends so much of his time in the permanent winter that is Game of Thrones?

The Dublin star of the stage and screen will lead this year’s Festival Parade which will wind its way through the streets of the capital from 12 noon on March 17th. The East Wall native was chosen in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish acting both at home and internationally.

Cunningham is best known these days for his role as Ser Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones, but also starred in the likes of War of the Buttons, Falling for a Dancer, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Clash of the Titans, The Guard and Hunger.

Liam said, "I have always been a proud Irishman and Dubliner and do my best to represent my country and city when I am abroad working. It’s a huge honour to be invited back to lead the parade on our national holiday. I’m really looking forward to being a part of it."

While the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mícheál Mac Donncha, said, "I would like to congratulate Liam on the honour of being selected as the 2018 Grand Marshal and wish him every enjoyment leading the Festival Parade. He is a fantastic ambassador for Irish acting who I’m sure many young people here look up to and hope to emulate his success."

Previous Grand Marshals of the St.Patrick's Day parade include Annalise Murphy Joanne O’Riordan, Katie Taylor, Ronnie Drew, Mícheál ó Muircheartaigh and Packie Bonner.

The full programme of events for St. Patrick’s Festival is available on www.stpatricksfestival.ie