Villages and towns throughout Ireland paint the town green for St Patrick's Day

From highly professional processional spectacles to downright paddywhackery, villages and towns throughout the country laid it on thick yesterday in honour of our national saint.

Organisers of the main parade in Dublin city centre put the crowds at more than 500,000, well up on last year’s figures.

More than 3,000 performers took part in the carnival, with Irish sporting hero, Tour de France-winning cyclist Stephen Roche the grand marshal, as Ireland prepares to welcome the Giro d’Italia bike race.