World-class music acts and non-stop street theatre, culminating in a massive street carnival and dramatic fireworks finale, entertained more than 50,000 spectators in Waterford city for the past three days of the Spraoi festival, writes Marion O'Mara.
The event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary, saw the city come alive with acts varying from morris dancers to a spectacular mix of fire juggling, ladder balancing and unicycling, sword swallowing, samba dancing and outstanding performances by the London Community Gospel Choir.
Running in conjunction with Spraoi was the children's fringe festival Sprog, at Garter Lane Arts Centre, and the Carlsberg Rhythm Route featuring over 100 bands and music acts in 40 pubs within the city.