Nicky Byrne has been announced as Grand Marshal of the 2013 St. Patrick’s Festival Parade. The Dublin native was chosen by Festival organisers for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry.

He will have a lead role in the Festival Parade on Sunday March 17th. He follows in the footsteps of other big Irish names including Katie Taylor, Johnny Giles, Ronnie Drew and Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh who have all held the title in recent years.

Speaking about the announcement Nicky said "I am absolutely thrilled to have been asked to be Grand Marshal for the Dublin Parade this St. Patrick’s Day".

"I'm a very proud Irishman and have always tried my best to fly our flag around the world in all the amazing places I’ve been to with Westlife, so to be asked to play such a poignant role on our national holiday is special".

"I have my memories of sitting on my dad’s shoulders on St. Patrick’s Day in years gone by on O’Connell Street trying to catch a glimpse of all the floats passing by in the Dublin Parade. So as a very, very proud Dubliner this will definitely be one to tell the grandchildren about" he added.

"A great ambassador for Ireland"

Acting CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival is Edelle Moss. "Nicky has enjoyed an illustrious career both in Ireland and abroad and is best known as a member of Westlife, the most successful pop-group ever to come out of Ireland".

"Nicky continues to be a great ambassador for Ireland, lighting up our TV screens as one of our best loved personalities. We are delighted that he is on board for this year’s Parade and wish him all the best as Grand Marshal" she added.

This year the St. Patricks Festival Parade will be themed 'Great Things Happen When We Get Together' and will see the greatest ever number of overseas participants.

More information on the St. Patrick’s Festival can be found here www.stpatricksfestival.ie.