Revelers wearing green and oversized hats partied the night away in Australia, with St Patrick’s Day celebrations continuing into the early morning hours.
Irish expats, people with Irish blood and Aussies who love a good old-fashioned Gaelic celebration were out in droves on Sunday to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the Emerald Isle.
Sydneysiders were seen flocking to pubs across The Rocks and Circular Quay, creating a sea of green across the Harbor City.
For the most part, the Irish holiday was about fun and goodwill.
But the festivities took their toll on some, with police pictured arresting a man outside a venue and dragging him away in handcuffs.
The observation of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 in Ireland dates back more than 1,000 years
Partygoers were seen waiting patiently in long queues outside a pub in Sydney
Revelers dressed in green attire and completed their look with oversized, new glasses
Many snapped while embracing both the celebrations and each other
A reveler’s party ended with him in handcuffs
Police dragged the partygoer away to a waiting police car
Earlier in the day, families took to the streets as they watched the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Rocks was transformed into a St. Patrick’s Day palooza with Irish language classes, Irish dancing, stilt walking, face painting, festival bars, live music and food stalls.
As the sun set, oversized green hats, sunglasses, headbands and masks were a popular choice among revelers adorning their St. Patrick’s Day outfits.
Partygoers were seen throwing their arms around each other while holding pints of Guinness.
Sydneysiders were seen flocking to pubs across The Rocks and Circular Quay, creating a sea of green in the Harbor City
The Rocks transformed into a St. Patrick’s Day palooza with Irish language classes, Irish dancing, stilt walking, face painting, festival bars, live music and food stalls
Some wore oversized new green hats as they enjoyed a beer at Sydney’s Glenmore Hotel in the Rocks
Families were out in droves to celebrate Ireland’s national day
A group of young men proudly raise their glasses to Ireland
Revelers enjoyed Ireland’s National Day while enjoying drinks with their friends
According to Census data, around 7,00,000 Australians have some Irish ancestry, with the celebration always big in the cities Down Under.
The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 in Ireland dates back more than 1,000 years.
But unlike the holiday’s current association with raucous parades, it was traditionally a holiday marked by a religious service in the morning, and a celebration later in the day.
The festival is marked around the world by major celebrations in cities with a particularly large Irish diaspora.
A couple is pictured sharing a quiet moment during the riotous St. Patrick’s Day festivities
Revelers in St Kilda got into the spirit of things by donning their best green costumes
A man is seen playing the bagpipes as he takes part in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Sydney’s CBD
It has long been said that New York had the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade, when Irish soldiers in the British army organized in 1762.
The celebration has since evolved dramatically from its original religious origins, centering largely around Irish culture, free-flowing pints and unapologetic crowds.
In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day celebrations have taken off in recent years, with a parade and four-day festival for the holiday in Dublin.
In Australia, many were excited as they embraced the festivities as well as each other, as the party continued until venues closed their doors.
In Australia, many were excited as they embraced the festivities as well as each other, as the party continued until venues closed their doors
The celebration has evolved dramatically from its original religious origins, centering largely around Irish culture, free-flowing pints and unapologetic bluster.
St. Patrick’s Day partygoers enjoy the quiet company of friends
Even babies came out to celebrate the Irish holiday