St. Patrick’s Festival and Tourism Ireland are thrilled to announce actor and director Patrick Duffy as International Guest of Honour at the national St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday March 17th.
Patrick, whose grandfather emigrated from Ireland to America in the 1920s, most recently visited Ireland in the summer of 2022, with his partner Linda Purl, to trace his own Irish roots in Kilmovee, Co. Mayo.
Fittingly, Patrick was born on the global day of Irish celebration on March 17th, and throughout his life he has always maintained a deep pride and interest in his Irish heritage.
Patrick makes the trip to Ireland along with tens of thousands of international visitors from Ireland’s global diaspora of over 80 million, seeking to connect with their roots, to sample contemporary and traditional Irish arts and culture, and to enjoy one of the world’s truly unique experiences on the streets of Dublin.
Born in Townsend, Montana in 1949, the son of tavern owners Marie and Terence Duffy, Patrick got his big break in ‘Man From Atlantis’ before achieving global success playing Bobby Ewing in the much-loved CBS prime time American soap opera ‘Dallas’.
Speaking of his role as International Guest of Honour, Patrick Duffy 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”.
Patrick will appear in the national St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin on March 17th.
The Parade commences at 12 midday and runs from Parnell Square to Cuffe St/Kevin St junction, for approximately two hours. With over 4,000 participants and an expected 500,000 people lining the streets, this year’s Parade promises to be the biggest, most spectacular parade ever produced on the streets of Dublin.
For those who cannot attend in person, the Parade will be broadcast on RTÉ One and can be watched across the world on the RTÉ Player.