BLACK smoke swept across O'Connell Bridge, gardai staffed barricades and explosions peppered the air, but this was no movie set. This was a pyrotechnics style St Patrick's celebration, which sent fire breathing dragons up the Liffey and culminated in an explosive finale which bathed the Custom House in a fountain of colour.
The river had lost its chime in the slime, but this was no fire in the mire.
Crowds packed the quays from Capel Street Bridge to Butt Bridge on Saturday night to witness the innovative Hackler Festival of Fire River Parade.
Three catamarans masquerading as Macnas like dragons moved seawards, belching fire and black smoke. The first had set out from Capel Street as the spectacle got under way and met up with another waiting near O'Connell Bridge.
As they lit the river, a series of fireworks, burning torches and flares burst from the river's north wall, their crackling competing with a band travelling along the quay on a float. Coloured lights rained down a the procession continued to its destination.
The three dragons, still spewing fire, circled another contraption bearing a ball of fire. The dragons were steered and fired by brave souls perched precariously on the back of the rafts.
Two deafening blasts brought gasps from the crowd and a mesmerising display began. As colours burst from the Custom House roof, DART passengers had the best seats as they crossed Butt Bridge in the middle of the spectacle.
Onlookers, many of whom had travelled from abroad for the St Patrick's festivities, were impressed.
A Japanese visitor, Ms Mayumi Matsushita (26), from Tokyo, and her friend Ms Chiyoe Sugiea (24), were among those who watched from O'Connell Bridge.
Mr Charles Carruthers from Glasgow said it summoned distant memories of the lights which adorned boats on the Liffey 60 years ago when he lived in the city. "I really enjoyed it - it's something different," he said.
The Hackler Theatre of Fire - take a bow.