BELFAST:ST PATRICK'S Day was marked by traditional parades and carnivals across Northern Ireland, with tens of thousands taking part under mostly clear skies.
The Belfast parade was led by Lord Mayor Pat Convery and the award-winning St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band from City Hall to Custom House Square in the city, where a large open-air concert was staged.
The atmosphere was strongly cosmopolitan in keeping with the parade theme of the global environment. However, there was a distinctly Belfast flavour to some of the parade floats, which featured Samson and Goliath, the city’s landmark shipyard cranes.
Up to 30,000 also turned out in Downpatrick, Co Down, where the patron saint is buried.
Parade-goers said they were not put off by a dispute involving Sinn Féin and DUP councillors over the flying of the Tricolour. Pupils from seven primary schools and some other groups decided not to take part, while DUP councillors pulled out of the parade.
However, the Presbyterian moderator Norman Hamilton did attend. He said it was important for all sides of the community to be represented.
The huge parade concluded at Ireland’s only dedicated St Patrick’s heritage centre in the town centre.
The crowds were also entertained by former Ulster Unionist Westminster candidate, now Alliance party member Harry Hamilton, who is a noted Freddy Mercury impersonator.
In Armagh, the traditional march led by church leaders took place between the city’s Church of Ireland and Catholic cathedrals.
Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, staged its first St Patrick’s Day parade in five years and the large crowd was evidence of the popularity of the restored carnival.
Newry, Co Down, also played host to a large parade.
Derry emphasised the cross-community theme with a strongly Scottish flavour alongside traditional displays. Guildhall Square was kept alcohol-free to encourage more families to participate.