Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets across Carlow and Kilkenny today.
The finishing touches are being put on floats for all the local St Patrick’s Day Parades.
Graiguecullen had one of the earlier starts this morning with things getting underway there at 11.
Jackie Malone is one of the organisers – she told KCLR they haven’t been doing their own parade there for very long.
Meanwhile, hours of entertainment have been planned for the main parade in Kilkenny today.
From 11 o’clock there’ll be music at MacDonagh Junction with the floats setting off from 1.
New participants this year include the bell ringers from St Canice’s Cathedral in the city.
Ian McCullough is Tower Captain there.
Proceedings in Carlow are getting underway later this afternoon then, from 3.30.
The route will take them from Kennedy Avenue through the town to the Potato Market.
Carlow Special Olympics are this year’s parade leaders.
Speaking to KCLR News this morning, Bríde de Róiste says it’s all systems go there at the moment.
In terms of traffic restrictions, there is no access from Patrick Street in Kilkenny to the Parade until 7pm this evening. The taxi rank at the Parade is moving to Patrick Street.
Ormonde Street can be entered but only through New Street.
Meanwhile, in Carlow there’ll be no traffic allowed on Kennedy Avenue, Barrack Street, Tullow Street, or Burrin Street for the duration of today’s parade.
Details of local parades can be found here: https://kclr96fm.com/events/categories/st-patricks-day-parades/