HUNDREDS of thirsty drinkers were expected to join St Patrick's Day celebrations at packed bars and pubs across York today.

Many city centre businesses were getting into the spirit of the Emerald Isle with drinks promotions and traditional Irish music and dancing.

Helen O'Kane, 34, who runs O'Neill's, in Low Ousegate, with husband, Damian, 32, said the saint's day was the busiest of the year with thousands of pints of Guinness sold.

She said: "We expect to be packed all day. We've been stocking up on Guinness. We normally have eight members of staff, but today we have 12.

"Everybody who's ever worked here comes back for St Patrick's Day. It's an unwritten clause in the contract! Last year's was our busiest day so far. It gets bigger and bigger every year."

She said there were free hats for every drinker who managed to down five pints of the black stuff. York band The Blethermen were booked to play traditional Irish tunes.

Her colleague, Terry Richardson, said St Patrick's was always a great day. He said: "I'll be trying to shave a shamrock in the back of my head."

Other pubs were joining in the "craic" by holding promotions on the day. Staff members at the Postern Gate, in Piccadilly, were planning to serve Irish stew and Jameson whiskey at discount prices.

Yates' Wine Lodge, in Church Lane, was selling Guinness at £1.79 a pint, and The Punch Bowl, in Stonegate, was hosting singer Ben Snowden, who has a number of Irish songs in his repertoire.

Eric Sibul, 40, a student from Pennsylvania, in the United States, said he would be joining in the celebrations. "It's a big thing in New York. I'll come here and have a couple of pints of Guinness," he said.

Updated: 10:56 Thursday, March 17, 2005