St Patrick's Day celebrations will start at dawn in the city which claims the "most authentic connection" with Ireland's national saint.

Armagh City, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, was chosen by St Patrick as the site of his first stone church in 445AD and to this day, remains the only city in the world with two cathedrals named after the saint.

It was among Irish American communities that the day became the celebration it is, from its roots as a more solemn day with a religious observance in Ireland.