MORE THAN 35,000 spectators lined the streets of Limerick yesterday for the International Band Parade.
Some 800 performers took part in this year's event which saw bands from across Europe and the US compete for the title of best overall band.
For the first time, the parade was lead by the Army Band of the 1st Southern Brigade. Fourteen other bands from the US, Germany, the UK and Limerick took part in the event.
The prize for best Irish band was won by the Friendship Band from Co Antrim, which has won the overall competition several times in the past.
Sadly, one of their members, Brendan Campbell - a Limerick-based garda - died before the weekend. However, it was his wish that the Friendship Band would take part in the competition and also perform at a special fundraising concert on Saturday night for the cancer unit at the Mid-West Regional Hospital.
"We are all very saddened by Brendan's death - he was attending the cancer unit at the Mid-West Regional Hospital. It was his family's wishes that we would still take part in the parade and the charity concert - it was also Brendan's wish," explained the band's spokesman Neil Bennett.
Four American high school and university marching bands featuring some 500 performers also part in yesterday's parade.
Auburn University Marching Band from Pennsylvania was voted best overall band, and also won the best musical performance award and the prize for most entertaining performance.
Freedom High School Patriot Band, also from Pennsylvania, received the prize for best dressed and was also named best international band.
Limerick's well-known Sammy Benson's Brass and Reed Band was given the special judges award while the prize for best local band was won by The Newcastlewest and District Pipe band from west Limerick.
Mayor of Limerick Cllr Ger Fahy was guest of honour at yesterday's event along with a number of other local dignitaries.
A number of parades took place in north Kerry yesterday - unseating Dingle, which usually lays claim to the earliest parade in the country on St Patrick's Day. In the village of Kilflynn, about 50 groups including a large a number of children marched after Mass. Causeway too held a parade and Listowel marked its 30th annual St Patrick's Day parade with contributions by several sporting groups including the Kerry County GAA club champions the local Feale Rangers.