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16th March 2017
03:08pm GMT
St. Patrick's Day is almost here and if you're anything like us then you'll have already decided that there is NO WAY you're fighting your way through the crowds at the main parade in the city centre.
Sure, there'll be amazing floats and performers, but unless you're 7ft tall it's pretty much impossible to see anything apart from the felt leprechaun hat worn by the American tourist standing on your toes.
Luckily then, that there's actually loads of smaller parades happening in local towns all across Dublin - all the silly parade fun with less stress.
Just how Paddy himself would want it we reckon. Here's 10 of the ones that should be well worth checking out on Friday:
The Lucan Parade starts outside of Tesco at 3pm (that's 3pm sharp, apparently), and will feature the Lucan Chinese Group, Zara Curtis Academy of Irish Dance, St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band with the St James Brass &Reed Band playing some tunes in the village.
Always a good'un, the Bray Parade starts at 3pm from the Town Hall to the viewing stand at the Northern Seafront. Organisers say that "sound, colour and pageantry will burst to life from the many bands, sports clubs, characters and dance troops so join us along the parade route." Sounds good.
This theme of this year's Fingal parade is 'Celtic Creatures', and pipe bands, dancing, community/sporting groups, and an array of colourful floats, carousels, entertainment and street performers will fill the streets in each location.
Here's where to find the festivities:
3: Swords Main St: 11am
4: Rush Main St: 1pm, and Lusk Main St: 1.30pm
5: Balbriggan Main St: 2pm
6: Skerries Main St: 3pm
7: Blanchardstown Castleknock Rd: 3pm
Clondalkin Patrick's Day Parade kicks off with live music at 2pm, and then the parade itself at 2.30pm outside Tuthills car park. There's lots of fun performers in the parade, including Harley Davidson Bikes (how cool?!), Clondalkin vintage Car club, Funky Steps Dance School, and the Civil Defence.
Craic in Clondalkin in 1992! Image: facebook
The local parade in Stepaside is at 1.30pm from Belarmine Roundabout. There will be tasty food stalls, cartoon characters, live music, balloons, stilt walkers, face painters, street performers, and more! Sure look, you can always hit the shops in Dundrum afterwards too...
Starting at 1pm from the Community Centre, the Rathcoole parade has the pretty excellent theme this year of 'Famous Movies', with local schools asking parents to dress their kids in anything animal like (animal print hats, scarves, jumpers) to represent the movie “Sing”. The parade will finish up at the local GAA club where there'll be a chance to have a nice pint.
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