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21st Jan 2022

St Patrick’s Day parade will take place this year, says Minister

Stephen Porzio

The announcement comes after the Government confirmed a major easing of restrictions.

Minister for Arts and Culture Catherine Martin has said that a St Patrick’s Day parade will take place this year.

The Minister was speaking during a press briefing after Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed in an optimistic address on Friday (21 January) that the vast majority of Covid-19 restrictions will be scrapped from 6am on Saturday.

Under the plans, the 8pm curfew for hospitality and other venues is to be removed, which will enable restaurants, pubs and nightclubs to resume normal hours.

Other restrictions to be scrapped on Saturday include the limit on the numbers who can attend households and indoor and outdoor events.

Minister Martin was asked if the relaxing of Covid measures meant a return to normal St Patrick’s Day celebrations this year after two years without parades.

“On St Patrick’s Day, yes, I can confirm that there will be a parade on St Patrick’s Day,” she said.

“After two years of an absence, we will have a physical parade.

“And actually, the department is funding over €2 million in the events for that day.”

The Minister added there would also be “strong online content” as part of the celebrations.

“All of this is being worked on and has been worked on. We’re doing contingency plans behind the scenes,” she said.

“But we’re delighted now that the physical parade will take place.”

She said that details regarding St Patrick’s Day celebrations will be announced shortly.

For more information on the announcement of the easing of Covid measures, check out the government’s website here.

Main image via Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

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