Limerick:Torrential rain and hailstones failed to dampen spirits at the International Band Parade in Limerick.
Marching bands from across Ireland and the US participated in the hugely-popular event, which made a welcome return this year to the city's annual St Patrick's Day festivities.
The overall winner of yesterday's competition was the Ballyduff Silver Band from Newtownabbey, north of Belfast.
Appalling weather conditions resulted in a much smaller attendance at yesterday's band parade than on St Patrick's Day when some 40,000 spectators lined the city's streets for Ireland's biggest military parade.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea was the main guest reviewing the most spectacular and colourful parade ever held in the city.
The Air Corps fly-past of four Pilatus PC 9s, plus its newest helicopter, thrilled the crowd as they swept over the city's main street.
More than 230 troops marched in the parade and a huge array of modern equipment used by the Defence Forces in overseas missions were on display.
The parade was led by the Colour Party and the 12th Infantry Battalion from Sarsfield Barracks down the traditional route of O'Connell Street to Matthew Bridge.
Limerick Person of the Year Paul Gleeson led the parade as grand marshal along with his girlfriend Tori Holmes who rowed across the Atlantic with him last year.