Dunedin seemed to be occupied by two kinds of people yesterday, the Irish and those who wished they were Irish.
People celebrated March 17 with Guinness and other tipples, and costumes that would make St Patrick proud.
Trish Kyle and partner Murray Gall started celebrations early at Irish bar The Bog. The pair marked the day every year as Mr Gall's parents were Irish.
"It's just a fun day [and] everybody's in a good mood,'' Ms Kyle said.
In Castle St, North Dunedin, about 20 female students, clad in emerald green, were partying in the yard of their flat.
Clementine Stoner (19) said she was missing lectures to take part in the revelry.
"It's really just a good time for us to celebrate and have a good day,'' she said.
Friend Kate Steele (19) said she was getting ‘‘in touch with my Irish roots''.
Further south in Castle St, Zack Posa (19) and his mates took in the sunshine and sang the day away.
"We're drinking to celebrate St Patrick's Day as we love the Irish,'' he said.
The lads would go to The Bog later, he said.
The Bog manager Greg Wilson last night said the Irish pub was still "cranking'', but "everyone has been well behaved''.
Earlier in the day, he predicted there would be a thousand people through the pub on one of the busiest days of the year, and later confirmed the pub had been well patronised.
"It brings out the best. Everyone comes out to have a good time,'' Mr Wilson said.
A staff member at the Craic Irish Tavern in the Octagon said it had been "a big day for us'' with several hundred people dropping in to the tavern throughout the day.
The tavern remained busy last night, with patrons well-behaved and good-humoured, many opting for "a pint of Guinness and a laugh''.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn, of Dunedin, last night said there had been no arrests in the city.
And, in Invercargill, 102-year-old Kathleen Robinson's days of dancing Irish jigs may be over, but she can still kick up her heels.
Dressed in an eye-catching Irish outfit to celebrate St Patrick's Day, she willingly waved a leg about for photos.
"I can still do that, oh yes,'' she said.
The mother of eight said she had always celebrated St Patrick's Day.
Both her grandfathers were Irish and she was educated at Catholic schools in Winton and Invercargill.
This year, Mrs Robinson celebrated at Calvary Hospital, where residents enjoyed green muffins for morning tea and a green-themed dining room and lounge.
However, she was quick to point out she was "just visiting'' and usually lived with one of her daughters, a retired nurse.
"My daughter's on holiday ... so I've come here.''
