Carnival of colour brings Cork streets to life
Thousands of people, including two members of the British Royal family, waited patiently for the parade to start, 45 minutes behind schedule.
But once the parade got underway, just after 1pm, it lived up to all expectations, kicking off the city's first St Patrick's Festival, which runs until tomorrow.
The Parade of Dreams, billed as one of the highlights of the city's European Capital of Culture year, featured more than 1,800 performers from 70 local, national and international groups, and included a number of groups from Northern Ireland.
Among Lord Mayor Sean Martin's guests on the viewing stand were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who were enjoying their first visit to Cork, the British Ambassador Stewart Eldon, and members of Belfast City Council.
The Duke, who is first cousin to Queen Elizabeth and who once practiced as an architect, visited UCC's striking Glucksman Gallery and the refurbished Washington Street courthouse before the parade.
The duchess also visited the children's ward at Cork University Hospital.
They then travelled back to the city and watched as the Cork-based Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind led yesterday's parade through the city.
"As Cork's only national charity, it was with particular pride and enthusiasm that staff, volunteer puppy walkers and guide dog owners took part," a spokeswoman said.
Drummers from Nigeria and acrobats from the Cameroon were among the parade highlights.
Almost 500 members of the defence forces, one of the largest contingents to ever march in Cork's parade, also took part, showing off Michael Collins's car and a number of armoured vehicles which have served on UN missions.
"Our parade contribution was nine months in the planning. It is another part of our contribution to the city's year as European Capital of Culture," an army spokesman said.
Earlier, a monument to deceased defence forces members was unveiled and blessed in Collins Barracks.
The Barrel Top Wagon, which was made by the Cork Traveller Women's Network to showcase Traveller culture, also debuted at the parade. The Barrel Top Wagon is expected to go on display in the city museum soon.
Members of Cork's Filipino community wore costumes which won the Hati Hati festival on one of the Philippine islands earlier in the year.
The spectacular costumes, which featured giant feathered head-dresses were flown to Ireland specially for the festival event.
After the parade, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester met with the parade's Northern Ireland participants at a civic reception in City Hall before flying back to London last night.
Oliver Plunkett Street was also closed for a food fair.
However, a low-level fly-past by two Air Corps jets was cancelled because of low cloud.
Moray Bresnihan, the artistic director of Cork's St Patrick's Festival, said he hoped yesterday's event "got rid of the notion of a parade."
"We wanted to have a party on the streets to bring the people of Cork into the carnival, to show the potential of how far more we can go," he said.
Mr Bresnihan promised even more community involvement in next year's parade and an even bigger festival.
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