Saint Patrick's Day parades are being held right across Tipperary with floats, bands, musical acts, comedy, vintage cars and tractors set to swamp town and village centres.
Local traffic restrictions will be imposed in towns and villages across the county both ahead of and during parades today.
They include reduced access to Cashel from the M8, the closure of the Quay in Clonmel, while there will be diversions around both Tipperary Town and Templemore.
One of the earliest parades today takes place in Cahir from 12 with rolling closures along the route. Traffic will be diverted from The Square out the Old Dublin road – and those heading into town will be diverted via the Old Dublin Road off the N8.
In Templemore – which kicks off at 12.30 – motorists travelling between Roscrea and Thurles will be diverted via Mary St, Church Ave and onto the Thurles Rd via the Garda College and Golf Club.
Both Nenagh and Tipp Town will have road restrictions in place from 1.30 – traffic through the West Tipp town will be diverted around with Gardai and stewards on point duty while Nenagh's restrictions will remain in place until 5. The Carrick on Suir parade gets underway at 2.30 with some restrictions along New Street and Main Street as a result.
One of the biggest parades will be in Cashel with 5,000 expected – it gets underway from 2pm. There will be no access to Cashel Town from the M8 Dublin/Cork Rd via J7 Cashel North between 1:45pm and 3pm approx. Motorists will have to take either J8 Fethard or J9 Cashel South.
In Clonmel – where a crowd of 2000 is expected – the parade route will be closed from the start of the parade at 3.30 until 5pm. St Mary’s Place, Grattan Place, O’Neill St, Wolfe Tone St, Mary St and the Quay will also be closed.
And while the parade in Thurles gets underway at 4 – Liberty Square will be cleared of traffic and parked vehicles from 12 – and those not attending the festivities can divert along a number of routes with Gardai directing traffic.
