Hundreds of people braved blustery weather conditions to watch the Lord Mayor's New Year's Day Parade pass through the streets of Dublin yesterday.
There was a carnival atmosphere on O'Connell Street as four marching bands performed outside the GPO in front of a viewing stand for the Lord Mayor, Cllr Vincent Jackson.
The Lord Mayor's parade was first held in 2004 but didn't go ahead in the past two years because of organisational difficulties. Cllr Jackson said it was hoped that it would become a permanent fixture in Dublin.
"It's a great day out here. At this time of the year a lot of people get fed up with the festivities, with eating, and they like to get out and about," he said.
"It's a good time for people to have time to themselves, and spend time with their families. Not many shops are open today which is nice too. These American big bands are great and the effort they put in is phenomenal."
The razzmatazz was provided by the James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes who travelled from Virginia in the US for the occasion. The 365-member band is one of the top college marching bands in the US.
The band was joined by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums band, the Tallaght Youth Band and the Garda Band, which drew a large cheer from the crowds.
