Thousands flocked to Belfast city centre to celebrate St Patrick's day as parades originating from four separate points across the city converged for a colourful afternoon of music and dance.
Organisers said it was the "biggest, brightest and the best-attended" St Patrick's Day celebration despite the absence of funding from Belfast City Council.
"Yet again the people of Belfast have made this event another St Patrick's Day to remember. Today we have witnessed a collaboration of artistic talent and creative expression in celebration of our patron saint and our Irishness," said Ms Caitriona Ruane, chairwoman of the event.
The artwork, floats and the entertainment were all better this year. "It's been a hard road but we are very happy with how it has gone. There was better management and it all ran very smoothly."
The parade proceeded down Royal Avenue in front of City Hall where comperes introduced the participants to the crowd. Local SDLP and Sinn Fein politicians walked with their constituents.
Compere Mr Robin Livingston, editor of a local newspaper, congratulated the participants. "Some of the paint is still wet because they were working into the wee hours. Isn't it wonderful - they say there are 40 shades of green but I see 400."
Horn-tooting black taxis from south and east Belfast led the parade as children with Tricolours painted on their faces waved from the passenger windows. The west and north Belfast contingents included stilt-walkers, fire-jugglers and local youth clubs.
Celtic warriors roared for the television cameras and one float consisted of a huge dolmen. A 10-foot figure of St Patrick towered above the proceedings while another man seemed a little out of season dressed as Santa Claus.
On stage there was a Latin vibe with the Latin Express salsa band. The Corpus Christi school choir followed with some favourite tunes while Irish dancers from the Harry Murphy school also showcased their talents.
The main attraction, Frances Black, received a rousing reception when she took to the stage. The invitation to perform in Belfast had been "nice for a change" because she loved the city.
"It's a very special day because it's my first time in Belfast on St Patrick's Day and I wanted to see what the atmosphere was like and how different the atmosphere is from Dublin. In fact it's much the same if not a little bit better than Dublin."
She said the decision taken by the city council not to fund the carnival was a shame. "I think it's really sad because it's just an Irish day. It's celebrated all over the world, so why not here?"
There was a strong RUC presence in the Co Armagh towns of Lurgan and Portadown last night as members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Orange Order celebrated St Patrick's Day. In Portadown, Orangemen gathered at Corcrain Orange Hall near the nationalist Garvaghy Road to take part in what they described as a "low-key, peaceful celebration of St Patrick".
Last year, the eve of the funeral of Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson, who represented the Garvaghy Road Residents, was followed by two nights of violence in which 40 people were injured.
RUC officers in Lurgan ensured that a Parades Commission determination preventing members of the Apprentice Boys from parading through the William Street area was upheld.
A number of Land Rovers blocked off part of the town centre, curtailing the Apprentice Boys' parade to the predominantly loyalist area of the town. The RUC escorted a small group of Apprentice Boys to the local cenotaph where a short wreath-laying ceremony took place.