Dallas star Patrick Duffy, who played Bobby Ewing on the American soap, will celebrate his birthday this year as the guest of honour at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, reports RTE.
Duffy, who was born on 17 March 1949, said: “Nothing gives me more pride than being asked to be guest of honour at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. I can feel my grandfather’s joy in my returning to his homeland to represent the Duffy’s and express our gratitude for all this great country has given us. I feel like I am returning home and want to meet my extended family”, reports RTE.
Duffy, whose grandfather immigrated to America from Ireland in the 1920s, recently visited the Emerald Isle in the summer of 2022, with his partner Linda Purl, to trace their Irish roots in Kilmowy, County Mayo.
Richard Tierney, CEO of St Patrick’s Festival, said: “We are so delighted to welcome Patrick Duffy to Ireland and to our national St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Patrick is a bona fide legend of the screen and holds a special place in the hearts of so many Irish households, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to bring him centre stage for the Festival and the Parade,” reports RTE.
The parade in Dublin starts at noon on St Patrick’s Day and travels from Parnell Square to the Cuffe St/Kevin St junction, lasting approximately two hours.
With over 4,000 participants and around 500,000 people lining the streets, this year’s parade promises to be the biggest and most spectacular parade ever through the streets of Dublin.
For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and can be viewed worldwide on RTÉ Player.
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