HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people attended Ireland’s newest artistic festival, Cruinniú na Cásca today.

Free events took place around the country to celebrate Irish culture, with RTÉ reporting that some 550,000 people were in attendance.

The festival follows on from last year’s 1916 commemorations, and is presented by RTÉ in association with Creative Ireland.

While many events took place nationwide, large-scale celebrations took place in Dublin, at St Stephen’s Green, Custom House Quay, Smithfield and Dublin Castle.

There was singing, dancing, and music on the streets – and even the Taoiseach was getting involved.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny having a dance with the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphries Source: Sam Boal

Toaiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphries meet dancers from the Chinese Children's Dance Academy in front of the Custom House. Source: Rollingnews.ie

Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys TD meet dancers from the Chinese Children's Dance Academy in front of the Custom House. Source: Rollingnews.ie

It appears Enda was in the mood for an old dance today.

There was also Irish dancing and Samba in St Stephen’s Green.

And Joe Duffy was also knocking around town.

The Chinese Children’s Dance Academy put on a spectacular display at Dublin’s Custom House.

Chinese Children's Dance Academy Source: Sam Boal

Yu Ying Yang (7) from Dublin, a dancer from the Chineese Childrens Dance Academy in front of the Custom House Source: Sam Boal

While kids were able to take part in a drum workshop in St Stephen’s Green.

As part of Fuinneamh Community Drum Leita Maken (5) from Dublin bangs a massive drum as part of a drum workshop for kids in St Stephen's Green in Dublin Source: Sam Boal

Many were giving is socks…

As part of Fuinneamh Community Drum Leita Maken (5) from Dublin bangs a massive drum as part of a drum workshop for kids in St Stephen's Green in Dublin as part of Cruinniú na Cásca Source: Sam Boal

But it wasn’t just Dublin that was in full swing.

The festival took the rest of the country by storm also.

While this is the first year of Cruinniú na Cásca, it’s expected it will become an annual event.

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