Footfall to the local economy is anticipated to be significant with strong hotel bookings suggesting many plan to flock to the county to enjoy the double bank holiday weekend.

Met Éireann say that while some showery rain will move in for a time this morning, this will clear in the early afternoon making way for sunshine and highs of 11 degrees.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Chief Executive Officer of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Toni Forrester said she expects today’s turnout to be on par with numbers in 2019.

“It’s hard to predict numbers, but certainly we are anticipating they will representative of our last in-person parade in 2019.”

Ms Forrester said the St  Patrick’s Day parade is a “launch pad” for the incoming spring season. She believes today’s events and the longer bank holiday weekend will see the local hospitality sector upswing.

“It will be a boost to the local economy. Hotels have been advertising the event for quite some time and because it is an extra long weekend with an additional bank holiday it allows people an even longer amount of time to unwind, take in some shopping and maybe book a hotel stay.

“The St Patrick’s Day parade is really the start of the spring season and is followed by Mother’s Day and Easter. It’s  a launch pad for the rest of the year. We’re expecting shops and hotels to see a good boost and a positive footfall due to the benefit of having a longer break.

“I know from looking at booking sites that hotels are busy. This is traditionally a busy time for the hospitality industry, and with the return of celebrations to its normal format we are feeling hopeful.”

While restrictions have eases and life has returned to a sense of normality, concerns have been raised of the threat of a new Covid-19 variant and rising cases. It comes two weeks after the face covering mandate was lifted.

Ms Forrester said she does not expect to see an surge in case numbers as people have a sense of personal responsibility.

“We hope people will stay safe and take precaution. We have a very long parade route, there is space for people to be spaced apart. People are taking personal responsibility.”

Today’s parade begins at 3pm and will feature an array of colourful floats, music and vintage cars. The Grand Master of Ceremonies will be the North West 10K which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Ms Forrester said the response to the Chamber’s call out for participants to take part in this year’s event was “very enthusiastic”.

“There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm out there for this year’s parade. Many of our parade participants have been taking part for many years but we definitely seem to have a lot of new groups, particularly in dance, who have supported our call. A lot of local groups are putting floats in this year’s parade.

“Prior to the parade there will be entertainment in the square at 1.30pm. New this year is a photo booth and The Wild Atlantic Buskers will be performing outside the old courthouse.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Met Éireann said the extended St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend will bring lots of fine spring weather.

“While some showery rain will move in for a time today, it’ll soon brighten up with lots of afternoon sunshine and highs of 11 degrees.

“Friday and the weekend are set fair with lots of pleasant sunshine forecast. Temperatures will reach 13 or 14 degrees by day but will get chilly by night with lows of two to three degrees.”