Heavy downpours did little to dampen the spirits of around 3,000 revellers who took to Dublin's streets today to celebrate 30 years of Gay Pride in Ireland.
The explosion of flags, floats, music and dancing flooded the streets with colour as the parade snaked its way from Parnell Square through the city centre.
Gay and lesbian campaigners were joined by bisexuals, transgenders, political activists and leather-clad street performers to celebrate Ireland's largest Gay Pride festival.
Lorries blasting out 80s electro-pop music accompanied the motley assortment of 6ft drag queens, sailors, devils and angels lost in a sea of pink feather bowers.
Marchers dressed as giant walking sperm followed youth groups, Aids awareness groups, a gay hiking club and a deaf gay group as they danced through the capital.
Bemused tourists and shoppers lined the streets to watch girls dressed as boys and boys dressed as girls celebrate the famous event en masse.
The parade was led by a giant rainbow flag, followed by double decker buses decorated with balloons, banners and ribbons. Mr Paul Byrne from Dublin Pride said they had always received a very warm reception from onlookers.
"It gets better every year," he said. "This is the 30th year of Pride in
Ireland and the 12th parade in Dublin and we have always had great co-operation from gardai.
"It's a community celebration and there is always a party atmosphere as people join in along the way."
The parade ended at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, with a free party. It marks the end of a two-week Gay Pride festival in Dublin which has included art exhibitions, film, music and workshops.
PA