Many will say this is a family day out and there are enough sweet shops, cafes and restaurants open to cater for people's needs.

But Mr Mawhinney wants to brings things on a little further.

He says that thousands of people are out on the town for the St Patrick's Day Parade and Dundalk shops have been asked to open their doors on St Patrick's Day rather than just window shopping, some people would take the chance to have a leisurely shop while they are in town, particularly if they have a Nice One Gift Card they want to use.

Mr Mawhinney states that capitalising on extra footfall is essential in such economic times.

While nobody can argue with that, many will say that it is the national holiday and it should be left alone.

Opening Dundalk shops could prevent at least some local customers shopping elsewhere, according to Mr Mawhinney.

Perhaps it might. But whether or not business people heed the call, Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Management (TCCM) has to be complimented for its strong interest in this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations.

They are sponsoring the parade and organising the Best of Irish Food Week, which runs from today, Wednesday, to St Patrick's Day.

The Best of Irish Food Week will see food outlets throughout Dundalk offering diners a special Irish dish created with local produce.

Andrew Mawhinney said Dundalk TCCM involvement in the St Patrick's Week celebrations is part of a team effort to encourage people to visit Dundalk town centre.

For too long, St Patrick's Day has been associated with pubs and excess and, sadly, violence.

Dundalk TCCM want to restore the national holiday to its former simplicity: a holiday for all the family.

In Limerick, they want the pubs to open on Good Friday for the Magners League rugby match. The publicans say it's not about money. It's about craic and showcasing Limerick.

Mr Mawhinney, a Limerick man, wants to make money and showcase Dundalk. There's not much wrong with that.