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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photos: CR Metro Band at Saint Patrick’s Day in Dublin

Clara Jarecke, Photojournalist
March 18, 2026
Clara Jarecke
The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band marches onto Cavendish Row during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.

DUBLIN — On March 17, 2026, half a million visitors came to Dublin, Ireland to celebrate with a parade, parties, and pub hopping. The city was overwhelmed with Irish tricolor memorabilia as people waved the flag and adorned themselves with the orange and the green.

With collaboration from the government of Ireland and the Dublin City council, tourists celebrated all weekend long with events, tours, and the famous Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which crowds the streets of Dublin’s city center. Dublin’s 2026 Saint Patrick’s day parade drew a crowd of approximately four thousand. Around 25 percent of visitors are from the United States, so the parade was heavily influenced by American culture.

It featured several U.S. marching bands, including The Ohio State University Band, The University of Illinois Band, and the Cedar Rapids Metro Marching Band. Including students from seven of CR’s high school marching bands, the Cedar Rapids Metro Marching Band marched from Parnell Square down to Cuffe Street in the two hour long parade. The trip was educational for the student musicians as they got to experience popular Irish sites like the Cliffs of Moher and Dublin’s historic city centre.

Visitors crowd the sidewalk during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture. Many streets are closed because of the parade, which leads to congestion around the city.
Visitors sit on the curb to wait for the start of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A man wears a Carroll’s viking hat during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture. Carroll’s is a retail souvenir shop that thrives off of the tourism surrounding Saint Patrick’s Day.
A mother takes a picture of her son in front of a Shamrock statue during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A child is seen holding an Irish flag during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A unicorn themed float drives down the road during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
Attendees navigate through congested streets during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
Residents watch the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade from their apartment balconies in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A young attendee sits on a backpack before the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
Visitors wave to residents in Poland using the Dublin portal during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture. The Dublin portal was built facing O’Connell street in May 2024 to allow people to experience windows into other cities around the world.
An attendee drinks a cider on the curb during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
Visitors wait near the Ha’Penny bridge during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A visitor enjoys a cider outside of The Ha’penny Bridge Inn during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
A man climbs on top of two electrical boxes with his daughter to get a better view of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.
Attendees sit under the shade of a tree during the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland on March 18, 2026. Thousands of visitors come to Ireland for the holiday to celebrate Irish culture.