Down in the mouth in Ireland

Ireland's patron saint sups the country's national drink

For the first time in living memory the streets of Dublin were empty as the city's annual St Patrick's day parade was called off amid fears that foot-and-mouth disease could be introduced into the country.

Although festivities continued among those of Irish descent around the world, the atmosphere in Ireland was decidedly muted as the country battled to maintain its disease-free status.

The Irish have a way of generating a good feeling even when things are down

Irish hotelier Patrick Curran

Dominic Campbell, director of the St Patrick's Festival Board, which runs the Dublin parade, said records were sketchy, but organisers believed the parade was last postponed or called off in 1926 or 1927, possibly because of bad weather.

But organisers were still hopeful that the parade, which draws annual crowds of up to a million, could be staged later in the year.

Martin Brady, a lawmaker with the governing Fianna Fail party said: "All will not be lost if some impetus can be given to a campaign to organise a summer event of similar size and nature.

"It would ensure that 2001 did not go down as the only year the people of Ireland did not get to enjoy a parade of major national significance."

Sporting ban relaxed

The Irish Government announced on Friday that some small-scale sporting events could resume next weekend after a more than three-week ban but efforts were still being made to minimise large gatherings of people - particularly those travelling from Britain or rural areas.

Philip Boyce, Catholic Bishop of Raphoe, said: "The outbreaks in the United Kingdom have dealt a severe blow to the farming community, significantly muting the traditional celebrations."

Bishop Boyce's diocese straddles the border with Northern Ireland, where one case of foot-and-mouth has been identified.

Muted celebrations, but still time to raise a glass

"It is a blessing the Republic has escaped so far and prayers that Ireland may be spared are being offered," he said in his St Patrick's Day message.

The Irish tourism industry, accustomed to strong business around St Patrick's Day, has struggled to attract business.

But hotel director Patrick Curran remained optimistic saying the Irish would have no trouble making their own fun despite the fact most events had been cancelled.

"The Irish have a way of generating a good feeling even when things are down," he said.

Ordinarily, the Republic's capital would be covered in green white and gold bunting, and crammed full of several hundred thousand people at this time of year.

But this year the decorations never went up and the visitors stayed away.

It was a similar story in Northern Ireland where the main parade in Belfast was cancelled.

US celebrations continue

Meanwhile across the United States the festivities were as lively as ever.

The normally quiet streets of Savannah came alive on Saturday as half a million revellers took part in one of the largest and oldest St Patrick's Day parades in the country.

Celebrations in New York were as lively as ever

Visitors to the historic city on Georgia's Atlantic coast were greeted by a sea of shamrocks, overflowing mugs of green ale and even Clydesdale horses.

Water in the city's many fountains was dyed green for three days of festivities which began on Friday.

Savannah's parade, which dates back to 1824, rivals festivities in New York and Boston.

New York's parade, the oldest and largest in the States, drew 165,000 marchers and 400 bands for the march down Fifth Avenue.

In Boston, where four out of every 10 resident claims Irish heritage, some 600,000 visitors and 20,000 marchers were expected.

In Britain, the Queen sent her first ever St Patrick's day message to the Irish president.

Diplomats say that reflects an increasingly relaxed approach to relations between the UK and Ireland.

There is even speculation that she might visit the Republic soon. No British monarch has been there since 1911.