For Winston Luza's three-yearold twin boys, Jon and Ron, the wait for the parade has been interminable.

"We've been waiting an hourand-a-half and they're getting a little tired, " explains Luza, originally from the Philippines. "But they are very excited. We're here six years now and have seen a lot of St Patrick's Days but this is the first time the boys can really enjoy it. I hope it starts soon."

These are the words on everyone's lips as the crowds gather around College Green and Westmoreland Street. The parade is due to kick off at 12pm on Parnell Square but most people have been here since early morning.

Agustin Origel from Mexico came to Dublin for St Patrick's Day four years ago and had such a good time he decided to come back with his friends.

"It's been great so far, " he says, carefully adjusting his leprechaun hat. "We love Ireland and St Patrick's Day is the best time to be here."

As Geraldine Hanlon and Stephen Healy from Blessington, Co Wicklow hurry by Trinity College to catch the beginning of the festivities, they confess that Hanlon has never been to the parade before.

"I suddenly thought that I should come and see it, before it's too late, " she says. "I'm really looking forward to watching it in person."

As the first sounds of the parade advancing are heard, excitement reaches fever pitch and suddenly there is no room to move, never mind see. Beside Central Bank, garda� have placed seven-foot tall barriers to prevent the crowds from spilling over, and people are perched everywhere - on stepladders, on top of phone boxes, trees and lampposts. A few enterprising Italian tourists have found a spot on top of a portaloo and a fight nearly breaks out when a hopeful viewer tries to join them.

A bunch of teenage boys on Pearse Street are getting stuck into the beer, but otherwise, good clean fun seems to be the order of the day - while the parade is on at least. In Cassidy's Pub on Westmoreland Street, a group of 40 police officers from Preston, UK are enjoying the Guinness.

"We feel sorry for the police officers having to deal with all that, " says John Grady, gesturing out the window at the mayhem outside. "I bet it's only going to get worse later.

But we'll be staying in the pub."