In Cork driving rain and wind spoiled the parade for the vast majority of youngsters who took up vantage points along the route from before noon.
The result was that once the various floats set off many parents rushed for the warm shelter of restaurants and pubs where they were able to drown the shamrock in somewhat more congenial surroundings.
The weather forced the parade to move at a brisker pace than usual, and within two hours it was all over.
This year there were more than 50 floats, and the emphasis was very much on Cork's nomination as the European City of Culture for 2005.
The overall winning entry was provided by the Cork County Arts Link, whose weird and wonderful characters included fire jugglers, animals and devils.
The best international entry award went to the South West Texas State USA Marching Band, and the most dynamic entry was judged to be the Chernobyl Children's Project.
The Grand Marshals for the parade were Mr Denis Durnin, Mr George McCarthy and Mr Kevin Cahill, three firemen from the 3rd Ladder Company, New York, which lost 12 members in the September 11th atrocity.
Just before they left New York, the body of another colleague was pulled from the rubble in Manhattan.
They firemen were sponsored by the Rochestown Park Hotel in the city, which provided flights and accommodation.
The firefighters were warmly received by a large crowd, as were the 50 members of the Boston Fire Service who made the journey to Cork.
Cork's favourite, the Barrack Street Brass and Reed Band, won the best band award, The Tip Toe troupe won the best youth group award, and the UCC Societies Guild took the award for best live action entry.
The award for the most humorous entry went to 96FM which took as its theme the search for the fugitive who has been giving away cash prizes on the station for the past month.
The parade was organised by the Cork Junior Chamber of Commerce which declared it a success afterwards although conceding that the weather played havoc with the scheduled running order.
Anne Lucey adds: The Dingle Fife and Drum Band opened proceedings in Co Kerry with a 6 a.m. march through the streets of the Kerry town.
Around noon Tralee saw one of its biggest parades in years with 28 entries. An intercultural event organized by Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE) attracted over 300 participants in Tralee in the afternoon.
An African Gospel choir, Irish bands, Samba drummers and "Elvis" saw Kerry people mingle with other cultures to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
It was also an opportunity for them to remember those who have emigrated, Mr Paul Hanrahan, the event's organiser, said. KADE hoped to make it an annual event.
In Killarney the afternoon rain failed to dampen spirits and more than 4,000 people turned out to watch almost 40 entries.
These included representatives of the American Legion, six bands, large turnouts from dancing schools, with over 100 dancers in a variety of costumes from the Irwin School of Dancing alone, Civil Defence organisations, martial arts clubs and football associations.
Guest of honour in Killarney was Mr Brian O'Mahony of the Irish Haemophilia Society, Kerry Person of the Year. There were parades also in Caherciveen and other towns.