In pictures: St Patrick's Day parades return

Image source, Pacemaker

Thousands have turned out to mark St Patrick's Day across the island of Ireland after two years of muted celebrations due to Covid-19.

Parades were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.

On Thursday, revellers went green and lined the streets of Belfast and Dublin city centres.

There were also parades in Downpatrick, Londonderry and elsewhere as many celebrated the return of street festivities.

Image source, Pacemaker

Image caption, There was hoopla in Belfast city centre as the annual St Patrick's Day parade made a long-awaited return

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Some rainy weather didn't deter a giant crowd from enjoying the Belfast festivities

Image source, Pacemaker

Image caption, Green-tinted glasses the eyewear of choice in Belfast

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Belfast's Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl was suitably green for the day

Image source, Pacemaker

Image caption, Elsewhere in Belfast, a number of people - including one dressed as St Patrick - held an anti-war protest outside a site owned by missile-making firm Thales
Image caption, In Downpatrick, a violinist plays at St Patrick's grave - the County Down town is considered the final resting place of Ireland's patron saint
Image caption, Families pose for pictures after climbing Slemish mountain in County Antrim - the mountain is said to have been where St Patrick worked as a shepherd after first coming to Ireland

Image source, Martin McKeown

Image caption, Huge crowds took to the streets of Londonderry

Image source, Martin McKeown

Image caption, Colourful costumes were the order of the day for Derry's parade

Image source, Charles McQuillan

Image caption, Shamrocks aplenty in Dublin, where 400,000 were forecast to turn out for the parade

Image source, Charles McQuillan

Image caption, This St Patrick was ready for some shamrock and roll in Dublin

Image source, Charles McQuillan

Image caption, Dublin's Ukraine community took part in the St Patrick's Day Parade

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