Mayo:Thousands of people turned out to enjoy various St Patrick's Day parades in Co Mayo yesterday.
The theme of the Castlebar parade, led by former manager of the Irish Barcelona boxing team, Seán Horkan, was "The Wearing of the Green".
It included several marching bands and "Big Sam", a vintage steamroller which has been restored by Mayo County Council workmen. The Quaker City String Band from the US took part in the highly colourful Kiltimagh parade for the 18th successive year. The week-long celebrations in the town include concerts, exhibitions and a wide range of entertainment.
In Claremorris 45 floats and a 52ft dragon were part of this parade which also included street performances by 100 transition-year students from the town's two secondary schools.
In Westport representatives from Limavady, Westport's twin town in Northern Ireland, took part in a colourful parade.
In Achill festival proceedings started at 6am with the beating of drums as the island's three pipe bands set out from different villages to converge for one major celebration.
Wexford:
There was an added twist to St Patrick's Day in New Ross, Co Wexford, yesterday as the town mace was carried at the head of the annual parade for the first time in 20 years.
This was a major talking-point among locals.
The honour of carrying the mace went to well-known local man Billy Murphy.
The mace was last carried in the parade by Nicholas Furness of William Street.
In addition to an array of colourful floats and marching bands, the parade included exhibitions by local clubs and sports groups, including the Shamrock and Hillside vintage clubs.
Their members travelled in everything from Ferguson TVO tractors to Mark I Ford Escorts.
Various businesses and local organisations such as the New Ross swimming club and the Anne Marie Cooney School of Dance added further colour to the day's events.
The parade began in the Irishtown area of New Ross before making its way through the historic streets of the town on to the quayfront where hundreds of people were gathered to welcome it.