500,000 form sea of green for parade

A giant Irish-knit jumper and the world’s biggest raggy doll were among the spectacular sights and sounds at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.

Around half a million revellers formed a sea of green, white, and orange as they lined the streets of the capital city for the world-famous event.

North of the border, Belfast staged its own carnival and parade through the city centre, with street performers and an open-air music concert.