St Patrick Day Parade In Dublin 2011

Hundreds of thousands of people attended the St Patrick's Day Parade today In Dublin.
The parade in Dublin was led by Grand marshal and Irish World Boxer Katie Taylor, organisers said some 650,000 spectators attended the event.
The parade began at Parnell Square at noon, and some 3,000 parade participants made the 2km walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral, via O’Connell Street, Dame Street and Christchurch Place. Eight pageant groups took part with displays on the theme Black Dog of Depression.
For the first time a short story was the inspiration behind the parade, with Brilliant by Roddy Doyle chosen for the honour because of Dublin’s designation as a Unesco City of Literature.
It tells the story of two children and the quest to banish the black dog of depression over the city – a reference to the financial woes that put Ireland on the global map for all the wrong reasons over the last year.
Leading pageant companies including City Fusion, Brighter Futures, LUXe, Macnas, Artastic, Inishowen, Spraoi and Bui Bolg interpreted different chapters of the story.
Mr Doyle said he penned the piece while watching news reels of the International Monetary Fund arriving in Dublin last November.
“It was a reaction to that really, that’s why I wrote the story,” he said.
International bands from as far afield as Spain, France and the USA wooed spectators,
The lord Mayor of Dublin Jerry Breen was also present traveling by lord mayor coach to the reviewing stand. Where the President Mary McAleese of Ireland was also present.
International marching bands also joined the parade from Spain, North Carolina, Louisiana, Spain and the UK as well as Ireland.
added to the international flavour
Guinness hats and greenpainted faces were to be seen in abundance as the good-humoured masses of people cheered loudly for their favourite participants.
Thousands of locals and tourists arrived in the city centre early to ensure the best positions on the parade route.

The festival is not only seen as a cultural opportunity but a chance to capitalise financially on the national day, with the festivities last year providing an estimated €50.5m to the economy in spending by tourists and Dubliners.

After the parade many enjoyed A drink and some fun on and off the streets and the party was set to continue well into the night.