The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty has been selected as grand marshal for the 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin.

"It's such a honour to be asked and I was genuinely gobsmacked when the call came in," says Kielty. "When you’re lucky enough to be called Patrick, St Patrick’s Day always feels like an extra birthday and I can’t wait to get the world’s biggest party started on March 17th."

The theme of this year's festival and parade is 'spréach,' the Irish word for spark.

In excess of 500,000 spectators are expected to line Dublin's streets for the parade, which will feature 18 pageants and performance pieces, 14 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and France and over 4,000 participants.

"The national St Patrick’s Day Parade is one of our most special occasions, celebrating the spréach of the people of Ireland, which unites us all both here in Dublin and across the globe," says Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste. "As my first St Patrick’s Festival as Lord Mayor of Dublin, I am so looking forward to watching the many pageants and marching bands that make up this spectacular event."

He continues: "It’s also Patrick Kielty’s first year in his role as host of the iconic Late Late Show, and so I’m delighted to see him selected as our Grand Marshal for this year’s Parade."

Kielty joins an impressive lineup of past grand marshals for the parade, including the Irish Women's National Football Team last year, as well as boxer Kellie Harrington, paralympian Ellen Keane and actress-writer Tara Flynn.

The parade and festivial will take place all over Dublin city centre, and will be broadcast live on RTÉ One television and around the world on the RTÉ Player. For more information on festivities and the parade route, please visit here.