Thousands attending St Patrick's Day parades

St Patrick's Day parades are taking place across Ireland. 

The largest event - in Dublin -  got under way at midday with an estimated 500,000 people lining the route.

Thousands of people are also attending events in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and many other towns and communities.

Large gatherings are also being held in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Newry, Enniskillen, Omagh and Downpatrick.

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are attending the parade in Dublin.

The President said it was a day of pride for Irish people and those of Irish descent all over the world.

Mrs Higgins said it was a day for all to enjoy.

The theme of this year's St Patrick's Festival Parade is 'Celebrate Now' in recognition of Ireland's achievements in contemporary arts and culture.

It features performers from home and abroad and is being led by the Grand Marshal - the comedian Brendan O'Carroll.

The parade started at Parnell Square and is travelling to O'Connell Street, Westmoreland Street, Dame Street and Lord Edward Street, before finishing up near St Patrick's Cathedral.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has a number of engagements in Washington today to mark St Patrick's Day.

He will present US President Barack Obama with the traditional bowl of shamrock at the White House and will also hold a bilateral meeting with the US President. 

The Taoiseach also had a special St Patrick's Day breakfast with US Vice President Joe Biden at his home in Washington DC.

Mr Kenny and his wife, Fionnuala, were greeted at the entrance to the Naval Observatory by the Vice President who when trying to make a joke, made his latest gaffe:

"If you're wearing orange you're not welcome in," Mr Biden said, before hastily adding "only joking".

US VP Joe Biden makes 'orange' gaffe

The Taoiseach will also attend a special lunch on Capitol Hill hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner.

Read our live blog.

Ireland's earliest St Patrick's Day parade took place in Dingle, Co. Kerry at 6am.

Over 1,000 people joined the Dingle Fife and Drum Band for the annual march around the town.

The tradition dates back to the Land War of the 1880s when the authorities banned marching on St Patrick's Day between sunrise and sunset. 

The Dingle Fife and Drum Band played a selection of rousing marching tunes as they completed a circuit of the town.

Separately, 431 Irish soldiers are celebrating St Patrick's Day in 16 countries on different peace support missions across the globe. 

The Defence Forces says personnel deployed form Mali to Syria, Lebanon to Afghanistan, are completing their duties first before celebrating the National Day. 

Over 180 troops serving with the largest Irish overseas contingent in South Lebanon were presented with shamrock by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Conor O'Boyle.  

138 soldiers in the Golan Heights also went on parade for the occasion. 

Smaller contingents are holding celebrations in the Congo, Sierra Leone, Western Sahara, Kosovo and Bosnia.

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