Large crowd for Galway parade

Irish international footballer and Barna native Dora Gorman (19) was guest of honour for Galway’s St Patrick’s Day parade, which was one of the largest in recent years in the city.

Gardaí estimate that some 70,000 people attended the event, which involved over 80 groups and took some two hours to make its way through the city.

Hail showers, rain and even thunder had been forecast, but the presence of a super snake may have scared off the weather gods. Up to 100 young people from a number of youth groups were involved in creating the serpent, which was led through the streets by Foróige.

Galway’s new Irish communities were also well represented, with a particular cheer reserved for the Russian Cultural Club Alliance.

Former mayor and Fine Gael councillor Padraig Conneely refused to take his seat on the reviewing stand in Eyre Square, in protest at the continued presence of Occupy Galway.

The sole remaining anti-globalisation camp organised its own events, including storytelling and face painting, and several of its supporters also took part unofficially in the parade when seven zombie bankers were chased by St Patrick with his mitre.

The event organisers said they had received no application from the grouping, and that the parade is “non-political and non-religious”.

However, camp members said they understood that their application had been refused.

Gardaí say they are maintaining a presence in the city centre tonight. Earlier this week, Labour councillor Niall MacNelis said seven off-licence outlets had agreed to open later than normal as part of a move to avoid the day becoming a “drink-fuelled mess”.

However, groups of secondary school students gathered with off-licence alcohol in several areas of the city from early afternoon, including Ballymoneen in Knocknacarra.