St Patrick's Day 2019 celebrated worldwide
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Pacemaker
St Patrick's Day celebrations are taking place across the world.
The feast of the Irish saint on 17 March is being celebrated from Australia to Dubai to the United States.
More than 400 landmarks in more than 50 countries are turning the appropriate colour as part of Tourism Ireland's annual Global Greening initiative.
Parades and festivities are taking place in Belfast and Downpatrick in Northern Ireland, as well as in Dublin.
The annual parade in Downpatrick began with its traditional vintage rally through the town.
In Dublin big crowds gathered along the route of the parade, which was attended by Irish President Michael D Higgins.
London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh are among other cities hosting parades and festivals.
Who was St Patrick?
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, he lived in the 5th century AD and is understood to have played a major part in converting the Irish to Christianity.
While St Patrick really existed, and some of his writings survive, his value does not really come from historical details but from the inspiration of a man who returned to the country where he had been a child slave, in order to bring the message of Christ.
He is traditionally associated with the shamrock plant, which he used to explain the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
It is believed he is buried in Downpatrick, County Down.
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Vardakar travelled to Washington DC for St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House last Thursday.
As is tradition, he presented US President Donald Trump with a bowl of shamrock.
Here are some of the main St Patrick's Day events across the island of Ireland:
Belfast
Downpatrick
Londonderry
Armagh
Newry
Enniskillen
Dublin
A number of events are also being held in England and Scotland, including:
London
Edinburgh
Birmingham
- Up to 80,000 people are expected to attend the parade in the city, which will run along Digbeth High Street from 12:00 to 14:00.
- Traditional music legend Finbar Furey will also be in town to take part in the St Pat Rocks event, which will be staged in the Zellig Car Park at the Custard Factor from 15:00.