Despite controversy over the participation of three Belfast groups in the Sligo parade, the event passed off as the usual good-humoured family day out.
However, the organisers and gardai were angry about a report in a local freesheet newspaper of "loyalists" coming to the town. As a result a number of extra gardai had to be brought in as a precautionary measure.
The vast majority of the 200-strong group from Belfast were children who have taken part in a number of Co-operation Ireland-funded exchanges with the Sligo Inner City Cultural and Historical Society over the past two years. They are from staunchly Protestant areas of east and south Belfast such as Sandy Row and Ballymacarrett, and this was their second year to take part in the St Patrick's Day parade.
One of the best floats in the parade, depicting the sinking Titanic, came from Belfast and was designed by Mark Ervine, the son of the Progressive Unionist Party leader, Mr David Ervine.
Mr Ervine jnr said it was the first time he had attended a St Patrick's Day parade, but the Belfast group had no reservations about making the journey. "It's about time things like this started happening," he said.
Mr Garnett Busby of the Sandy Row Residents Group said it was unfortunate the term "loyalists" had been used in the newspaper report. "It sends out all sorts of connotations, and what we are trying to do is break down barriers and dispel those labels and tags.
"Nobody is denying that the majority come from Protestant areas, but they are just kids who have no interest in politics," he added.
He pointed out that 40 members of the Sligo group had visited Sandy Row on July 1st last year to take part in mini-Twelfth celebrations. Numbers wishing to travel to Sligo had increased this year.
"Last year, we brought just 50. This year it's 200. People were knocking down doors to get going. The kids were down on summer camps last year, and when they have a good time and friendships are formed, then the parents throw their weight behind it," Mr Busby said.
Participants in the parade, which was led by the local FCA and fire brigade, included bands from Strabane, Donegal and Sligo, scouting organisations and the Sligo bikers club. Most of the major companies and voluntary and sporting bodies were also represented.
In Co Leitrim, the residents of Drumshanbo opted to stage something different for the first year of the new millennium. Led by St Patrick in the form of singer Charlie McGettigan, "Siul" depicted 24 stages of Irish history with up to 100 different clubs and organisations taking part.
In Co Donegal, the biggest parade was in Letterkenny, where the entertainment started at midday in the Market Yard with live music and fun activities for children. After the parade, a traditional music session was held in An Grianan theatre, featuring musicians from Donegal and Derry.