ST. Patrick's Day celebrates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and Saint Patrick who was a bishop in the 5th Century and is credited with bringing the religion to the country.

The holiday is celebrated every year with parades, festivals, wearing green attire, and céilís – a social event that includes Irish folk music, traditional dancing, and storytelling.

When is the St. Patrick's Day parade?

The New York City St. Patrick's Day parade will begin on March 17 at 11am on 5th Avenue and 44th Street in Manhattan.

The holiday is celebrated on the same day every year, but 2022 will be the first time the parade is being held since 2019.

It was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, only days before it was set to take place.

What is the history of St. Patrick's Day?

The St. Patrick's Day parade was first held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

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Irish ex-patriots and Irish British Army military members who were stationed in the New York colonies were the first to march in the parade.

St. Patrick's Day has since become synonymous with drinking and Stiofán Ó Cadhla, a senior lecturer in folklore and ethnology at University College Cork said it is because folklore indicates Saint Patrick enjoyed drinking.

"One of the narratives associated with him is about 'peaca an tomhais'…, the 'sin of mismeasure,' when St Patrick enters a public house and orders his pint," Ó Cadhla told BBC.

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"The publican gives him the drink but he has left the drink shorter than he should, he doesn't give him his full measure.

"Patrick corrects him and tells him: 'You haven't realized that this sin of mismeasure is one of the worst sins that you can commit.'"

Although the tradition of drinking alcohol on St. Patrick's Day has become commonplace, it was banned in Ireland up until the 1970s.

Pubs in Ireland at the time were not permitted to be open on March 17 out of respect for the religious holiday and their beloved patron Saint Patrick.

What is the parade route and road closures?

The parade will kick off on 5th Avenue and 44th Street in Manhattan and will march up 5th Avenue to end at 79th Street.

The St. Patrick's Day parade typically lasts until 4.30pm and this year will pause at the steps of the St. Patrick's Cathedral at noon to say a prayer and pay respect to the victims of 9/11 and those who died from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following streets will be closed until the parade ends:

5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street
Madison Avenue between 63rd Street and 64th Street
Madison Ave between 78th Street and 86th Street
Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 46th Street
43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
47th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
48th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
85th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue

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