With the country basking in spring sunshine and sporting success, the St Patrick’s festival got off to an early start filled with craic, ceoil — and curry.

THE country’s largest marching band walked away with the top prize at yesterday’s International Band Parade and Competition which attracted more than 30,000 people onto the streets of Limerick.

THE bands played on, but there was no Waltzing Matilda for Willie O’Dea.

LIMERICK’S International Band Parade and Competition next Sunday has attracted almost 600 musicians from marching bands who will travel from the US, Germany, Africa and Northern Ireland.