Daithí Bán part of the colour in the City of the Tribes

GALWAY:DAITHÍ Bán hadn't planned to be in Galway for St Patrick's Day, and he certainly hadn't anticipated running all the way from Belfast.

However, Daithí, better known as David Butler to his Kilkenny family, found himself travelling hundreds of kilometres around the island over the past nine days to promote the Irish language.

The Dublin City University business studies-through-Irish student was the virtual mascot of Rith.ie, the 1,600km run which began in Belfast 10 days ago and finished as part of Galway’s parade yesterday.

Several dozen runners completing the final kilometres into Galway, where a baton bearing a message from President Mary McAleese was handed to Irish Language Commissioner Seán Ó Cuirreáin in Eyre Square.

The runners joined some 52 groups, led by town crier Liam Silke, and including the Scottish Stirling and District Pipe Band.

Guest of honour was John Killeen, the businessman and yachtsman credited with bringing the Volvo Ocean Yacht Race to Galway twice.

A considerable contingent of “new Irish” included the Association of Nigerians, the South African community, members of the Russian Cultural Centre, the Galway-Filipino Irish community and the residents’ association representing refugees and asylum seekers at Salthill’s Eglinton Hotel.

One of the most colourful groups in the “secular” section was Galway Bellydance, while sporting groups included the Liam Mellowes hurling and camogie club and the Castlegar junior hurling and camogie players.

Breton folk musicians from Lorient joined local musicians, including St Patrick’s Brass Band.

Other participants included the Galway Community Circus, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Knocknacarra, the Claddagh National School and Scoil San Phroinsias, Tirellan.