The chief executive of the rescheduled St Patrick's Festival has declared the event a success after some 1.2 million people attending the festivities over the past three days.
Ms Maria Moynihan said she wouldn't wish to have such a postponement again - necessitated this year due to the foot-and-mouth crisis - but "this proves we can hold this festival any time, any place, anywhere".
She said an important element of this year's event was showing the world that Ireland was open for business. The festival "meant a lot more than just a date on the calendar. It was a celebration of national pride and community spirit."
Up to 30,000 people attended the opening event on Friday night, the AIB Meet Me At The River fire display. An estimated 50,000-plus attended Saturday's Skyfest and a further 50,000 yesterday's parade.
The cost of rescheduling the festival was estimated at £70,000, with the event itself costing £2 million, almost half of which was raised through commercial sponsorship.
According to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the festival is worth up to £20 million to the city.
Ms Moynihan said the idea of moving St Patrick's Day to the summer was mooted in the 1960s because of the better tourism potential. "Apparently the Pope was consulted about changing the feast day but nothing came of it."
She said a permanent move, however, was not being considered despite the possible benefits, including the likelihood of better weather.
Among the crowd yesterday were 30 journalists from Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands who had been invited to the parade by Bord Failte to show that foot-and-mouth disease was no longer affecting tourism.
Bord Failte also brought over some US tour operators with the same objective in mind.
The tourism body's New York-based product manager, Mr John Daly, said the foot-and-mouth crisis had affected advanced bookings, although there was evidence business was picking up again. "Next year should be back to normal."
Mr Pat Flynn, a travel agent from Michigan and a member of Bord Failte's 800-strong Shamrock Club for US-based operators, said he too believed the impact would only be short term.
"There were some exaggerated media reports about the disease which may have put some people off but it never really bothered most people."
Some 5,000 performers were involved in the festivities over the three days, including 11 street theatre groups and 14 Irish marching bands in yesterday's parade, the theme of which was "Fusion".
Grand marshals for the day were actors Claudia Carroll and Celia Murphy from the TV soap Fair City.
Among the spectators were the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Minister of State, Mr Eoin Ryan, Senator Feargal Quinn, Labour Party president Mr Proinsias De Rossa and the members of Dublin Corporation.
The premier award for best parade entry went to "Cabaret", presented by the Wexford-based theatre company Bui Bolg. The runner-up prize went to "2001 A Greek Odyssey" by Waterford Spraoi and Guinness.
The Clondalkin Youth Band won the best overall band award, and the Mullingar Town Band the best-dressed band prize.
The Spirit of the Parade Award, judged by children, went to "Perambulation", presented by Community Development Project Priorswood and Bord Glas.
The Chairman's Award went to "ConFusion", presented by Down to Earth Theatre Company and Walker's Crisps.
Mr Dominic Campbell, the festival's artistic director, said he was very happy with the quality and production of all the events.
"Above all," he said, "it is about participation from performers, communities, sponsors and most importantly the children, people and visitors who come to see and take part in the festival events."
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