Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley jetted in from London to serve as Grand Marshal at the Cork city St Patrick's Day parade.
The Chicago native said he was proud to lead the parade in his adopted home of Cork.
“Little did I think, growing up as the son of Irish emigrants on Chicago’s south side that I would be a future Grand Marshal for Ireland’s second largest city,” he said. “I am delighted to take part in the Cork St Patrick’s Festival as Grand Marshal. I am really proud of Cork.”
The dancer, who made his name in shows such as ‘Lord of the Dance’, ‘Feet of Flames’ and ‘Riverdance’, lives in Castlehyde Estate outside Fermoy in the north of the county.
Flatley described Cork as a historic, creative exciting and culturally rich county with extraordinary surprises to be discovered every time you turn a corner.
“I’ve put my heart and soul in to my home in Castlehyde where I have lived for the last fifteen years. I cannot speak highly enough of the local people who are so friendly and genuine. Corkonians in particular are so warm and welcoming.”
It was a frenetic weekend for Flatley, and his wife Niamh, as he served as Grand Marshal of the London parade yesterday before making his way to Leeside.
Flatley was joined at the parade start line by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Catherine Clancy, who said she was delighted to welcome the dancer.
The pair made their way down Patrick Street in an open top car to an enthusiastic reception from the crowd.
Highlights of the St Patrick’s Day Legends parade in Cork included five specially commissioned giant art pieces, created by renowned street theatre companies, and inspired by legendary tales including Jonah and the Whale by Spraoi; the Phoenix by Bui Bolg; large scale inflatable floats by Lux, and the Tractor Factor with Dowtcha puppets.
Cork City Hall was illuminated in green for the day. The parade attracted over 50,000 people to Cork city centre. More than 100,000 people are expected to have visited the city over the course of the three day St Patrick’s festival.
The parade set off at 1pm from the South Mall to the Grand Parade, along St Patrick’s Street, finishing at Merchant’s Quay. It was streamed online at the local city council website. Last year 30,000 people watched the parade online with similar figures expected for yesterday’s festivities.
The parade was the highlight event of three days of family fun during Cork's St Patrick's festival organised by Cork City Council, with support from Cork Airport and Barry's Tea.
The festival included food markets, on street entertainment and a strong musical line up.
Elsewhere in the county, parades were held places such as Cobh, Carrigaline, Fermoy, Kanturk, Mallow, Macroom and Kinsale.