{"id":25490,"date":"2022-03-16T15:38:21","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T19:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25490"},"modified":"2022-03-16T15:38:25","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T19:38:25","slug":"actor-john-c-reilly-honored-to-be-this-years-international-guest-of-honor-in-dublin-parade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25490","title":{"rendered":"Actor John C Reilly Honored To Be This Years International Guest Of Honor In Dublin Parade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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American-Irish actor John C Reilly at The Gravity Bar in The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The St Patrick\u2019s Day parade will return to Ireland this year after a two-year break, with Hollywood actor John C Reilly as international guest of honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Irish-American said it is a great opportunity to \u201cspread joy\u201d during a difficult time in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chicago native said he has always been a big supporter of Ireland and attended the St Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations in his home city with his Irish father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to 400,000 people are expected to attend the parade in Dublin, two years after it was cancelled due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parade will begin at Parnell Square, and make its way through O\u2019Connell Street, and around College Green, before making its way down Lord Edward Street and ending on Kevin Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olympic boxer Kellie Harrington and Paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane will be among those taking part in the parade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reilly visited the Guinness Storehouse in south Dublin to mark the beginning of the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am delighted to be here. This is a big honor for me,\u201d Reilly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt might seem like a bit of a goof to appear at a parade but to me it has deep meaning as an Irish-American.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I know that my father, who is somewhere watching, couldn\u2019t be more proud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been a big supporter of Ireland. I\u2019ve come here many times, I vacationed here, I\u2019ve worked here but it feels especially important to come here now to let people know Ireland is open for business again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve all been through so much and when this opportunity came along it was great to spread so much joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s obviously a difficult time in the world, but we can\u2019t let that stop us from spreading some joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJoy is a great way to dispel darkness in all its forms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Step Brothers actor said he will spend a number of weeks in the country and plans to travel around the west of Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also said he is \u201cexcited\u201d to meet President Michael D Higgins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cGrowing up in Chicago, one of the big days of the year for Irish-Americans was the St Patrick\u2019s Day parade and we would go to downtown and it was the chance to hear the music and bagpipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was this glorious thing to see all these societies, it made your heart swell with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPub life here is one the great joys. It\u2019s something Americans really crave \u2013 that sense of community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just the drinking, it\u2019s that sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven the TV show Cheers is essentially about that, coming to a place where you belong and people know your name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The actor said he first visited Ireland on a chartered flight with fellow actor Will Ferrell while promoting the film Talladega Nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI stepped down the stairs and I kissed the tarmac, it was this big gesture but I really meant it as it was a special thing coming here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel normal and feel more connected. Every time I come here I move through the country and let good things happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a special quality and it\u2019s good craic, as they say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith all the separation we have had, it\u2019s definitely something everyone is craving and be together again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the connection with people and the place is beautiful. I find the meaningful connections are with people and conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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