Crowds celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London

Having clinched the Six Nations rugby crown, there was always going to be good craic this weekend ahead of St Patrick's Day.

And this year's St Patrick's Day Parade and celebrations in London organised by Mayor Boris Johnson, with the support of many Irish businesses, did not disappoint.

The theme of this year's celebrations in the centre of the capital was World of Dance and the Irish-American dance supremo Michael Flatley led the event among the thousands of revellers.

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A boy watches the annual St Patrick’s Day Festival in London today. Photograph: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Both those taking part and members of the public were adorned in the Irish tricolour and leprechauns, four-leaf clovers and an abundance of green could be seen lining the route of the event now in its 13th year.

The theme was chosen to celebrate the rich heritage of dance within Irish culture and the parade featured spectacular pageantry, floats, marching bands from across the UK, sports clubs and Irish dancing schools who entertained crowds, expected to number near 100,000, lining Piccadilly as they headed towards Trafalgar Square for the festival.

Flatley was joined by the Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall and his wife and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte at the start of the parade at Hyde Park Corner.

PA