Revelers donning green and wearing oversized hats partied the night away in Australia, where St Patrick’s Day celebrations continued well into the early hours of the morning.
Irish expats, those with Irish blood and Australians who just love a good old Gaelic feast were out in force on Sunday to celebrate the Emerald Isle’s rich heritage and culture.
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 celebrations took their toll on some with police photographed arresting a man outside a venue and dragging him away in handcuffs.
Observation of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 dates back more than 1,000 years in Ireland
Revelers were seen waiting patiently in long queues outside a pub in Sydney
Revelers dressed in green clothing and accessorized their look with oversized novelty glasses
Many have been snapped about both the celebrations and each other
A celebratory celebration ended with him in handcuffs
The police dragged the partygoer away to a waiting police car
Earlier in the day, families filled the streets as they watched the St Patrick’s Day parades in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Rocks were transformed into a St Patrick’s Day palooza with Irish language lessons, Irish dancing, stilt walking, face painting, festival bars, live music and food stalls.
As the sun went down, oversized green news hats, sunglasses, headbands and masks were a popular choice with revelers accessorizing their St Patrick’s Day outfits.
Partygoers were seen draping their arms around each other as they clutched pints of Guinness.
Sydneysiders were seen flocking to pubs across The Rocks and Circular Quay, creating a sea of green across the Harbor City
The Rocks transformed into a St Patrick’s Day palooza with Irish language lessons, Irish dancing, stilt walking, face painting, festival bars, live music and food stalls
Some donned oversized green hats as they enjoyed a beer at the Glenmore Hotel in the Rocks in Sydney
Families were out in force to celebrate Ireland’s national holiday
A group of young men proudly raise a glass to Ireland
Revelers enjoyed Ireland’s national holiday by sharing a drink with their friends
About 7,00,000 Australians have some Irish ancestry, according to Census data, with the celebration always big in cities Down Under.
The observance of St Patrick’s Day on 17 March dates back more than 1,000 years in Ireland.
But unlike today’s association of the holiday with raucous parades, it was traditionally a day of celebration marked by a service in the morning and a party later in the day.
The festival is marked all over the world by huge parties in cities that have a particularly large Irish diaspora.
A couple are pictured sharing a quiet moment during the riotous St Patrick’s Day celebrations
Revelers in St. Kilda got into the spirit of things by donning their best green costumes
Man is seen playing the bagpipes while marking in the St Patrick’s Day parade in Sydney’s CBD
New York has long been credited with having 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 and is largely centered around Irish culture, free-flowing pints and unapologetic roistering.
In Ireland, the celebration of St Patrick’s Day has taken off in recent years with a parade and four-day festival for the holiday in Dublin.
In Australia, many were snapped embracing both the celebrations and each other as the party continued until venues closed their doors.
In Australia, many were snapped embracing both the celebrations and each other as the party continued until venues closed their doors
The celebration has evolved dramatically from its original religious origins and is mainly centered around Irish culture, free-flowing pints and unapologetic roistering
St Patrick’s Day scammers enjoying the quiet company of friends
Even babies came out to celebrate the Irish holiday