FORMER OLYMPIC athlete Eamonn Coghlan is on his marks and getting set to lead the 2008 St Patrick's Festival Parade in Dublin.
The former World 5,000m champion and four-time Olympian was awarded the honour by the festival organisers in recognition of his contribution to Irish sport and culture.
In leading the parade, Coghlan follows in the footsteps of the musician Ronnie Drew and former Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy.
He said he was delighted and honoured to have been offered the opportunity.
"It is a privilege that not many people are afforded and, as a proud Irishman and Dubliner, I am really looking forward to what will undoubtedly be a day to remember," he said.
More than 3,000 people will take part in the parade, which has as its theme "energy".
It will depart Parnell Square at noon on St Patrick's Day, then move down O'Connell Street to Westmoreland Street, along Dame Street, before it arrives at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Festival organisers believe more than 500,000 revellers will turn out in Dublin to view the parade, while a further six million people are expected to watch the event on television in Ireland and abroad.
The parade is just one part of a busy St Patrick's Festival line-up.
Other highlights include the annual pyrotechnics, lighting, and music-based Skyfest at the Rock of Cashel, street theatre at the Dublin Docklands, as well as a city-wide treasure hunt.
Further information about the festival and its events is available at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
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