Here's our guide to the biggest events and parades going on in some of Ireland's cities this St. Patrick's Day.  The weather forecast is looking good, so wherever you are, get out and enjoy the day. 

Image via @twisteddoodles

Dublin
The focal point on St. Patrick's Day will be the parade, with 'imagine if…' as its theme. Grand Marshall Joanne O'Riordan will lead the floats, performers and marching bands through the city, setting out from Parnell Square at 12.00pm.

Other highlights include funfairs, which will be set up on Merrion Square and Custom House Quay, and the Gaelstage on Earlsfort Terrace. There will also be a series of cultural events, I Love My City, taking place in various venues. The festivities begin on Thursday, and last until Sunday. A full programme of events could be found here.

The Guinness Storehouse will be offering live music and free admission to anyone named Patrick or Patricia.

In the evening, there will be music to suit every taste in the city's pubs and clubs, or you could stroll around town checking out the Dublin landmarks illuminted in green. 

If you want to avoid the City Centre, The Irish Craft Beer and Whiskey Village will be set up in the RDS Main Hall offering a selection of beers, ciders, whiskeys, food and live music. Doors open at 12.00pm and admission is €10.

Cork
Cork's St. Patrick's Day parade will tie into the 1916 centenary, and celebrate the Easter Rising and its legacy with music, theatre and dance. It will start at the South Mall at 1.00pm, and weave its way through the city, finishing up on Merchant's Quay.

Bishop Lucey Park and Grand Parade will also be a centre of activity with a festival market selling local food and drinks, and circus performers and live bands providing the entertainment.
Later in the evening, The Lee Sessions Trad Trail have organised a series of trad sessions in pubs across the city.

The celebrations continue on Saturday and Sunday.

Limerick
Jedward will be marching through the streets of Limerick as part of the city's St. Patrick's Day parade, which will feature over 4,000 participants. It sets off at 12.00pm, led by Grand Marshall Myles Breen.
On Sunday, a second parade will take place as musicians from all over the world will take part in the International Band Championship, travelling and performing from O'Connell St to Arthur's Quay.

Kilkenny
The St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Kilkenny are again combined with Kilkenny Trad Fest to create a day that celebrates Ireland's musical and cultural traditions.
The city's parade starts on St. John's Church at 1.00pm, and travels to its end point in the Market Yard. Then, at 3.00pm, Kila perform an open air concert in Kilkenny Castle Park. After the gig, you can head to the Vintage Funfair on The Parade.
The festival continues over the weekend with acts such as Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Damien Dempsey and Duke Special performing.

Galway
Galway's theatre specialists Macnas will be the star attraction in the city's parade. Their performers and youth ensemble will be taking part, along with Gamelan na Gaillimhe, which brings the traditional Indonesian instrument to the west of Ireland. The parade launches at 11.30am on Dominick Street, and finishes up on Prospect Hill.