Killarney: Thousands lined the streets of Killarney, Co Kerry, in what organisers described as the biggest attendance at a St Patrick's Day parade ever in the town.
St Patrick's Day is the traditional start to the two million visitor tourism season in Killarney and while there was nervousness about the prospect of war in Iraq, and its effect on the season ahead, the large number of American accents at the parade quelled some of the anxiety.
Brilliant summer-like sunshine as well as a high number of visitors staying for the weekend, domestic and foreign, were responsible for the turnout, said Mr Michael Courtney, chief executive of Killarney Tourism.
There was warm applause for a group of 45 visitors from the Jade Travel group, mostly from Kansas. The visitors donned tall hats and green regalia to march along with up to 40 other groups.
Fewer than ever commercial floats took part, their places taken up by large groups of young people involved in clubs, musical, arts and sporting organisations.
There were five marching bands including the Cullen and Millstreet pipe bands, traditional whistle and accordion groups and the Gleneagle Brass Band.
Iarnród Éireann celebrated 150 years of the Mallow to Killarney railway service with a steam engine float. Among the dancing schools were the Irwin School of Dancing, and the Daly-King School of Irish Dancing.
Other participants in the parade included the Killarney Wheelchair Association, and the Inbhersceine sub-aqua club, Killarney Water Rescue, the Civil Defence, the Killarney Active Retirement Association along with Girl Guides, Brownies and Scouts.
A battalion of Army reservists led the parade which took well over an hour to pass the stand. Guest of honour was Ms Maura Moynihan, chief executive of Cork Kerry Regional Tourism. Dr Bill Murphy, Bishop of Kerry and Mr Jackie Healy-Rae TD, were among those viewing the parade.
Similar large crowds greeted parades elsewhere including Tralee, Caherciveen and Dingle, where a peace float drew a lot of attention.
In Tralee some 80 flags of different nations were flown to symbolise the different nationalities now living in the town.