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In pictures: St Patrick's Day parades return

News imagePacemaker Belfast St Patrick's Day parade 2022Pacemaker

Thousands have turned out to mark St Patrick's Day across the island of Ireland after two years of muted celebrations due to Covid-19.

Parades were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.

On Thursday, revellers went green and lined the streets of Belfast and Dublin city centres.

There were also parades in Downpatrick, Londonderry and elsewhere as many celebrated the return of street festivities.

News imageline
News imagePacemaker A performer in Belfast's St Patrick's Day Parade 2022Pacemaker
There was hoopla in Belfast city centre as the annual St Patrick's Day parade made a long-awaited return
News imagePA Media Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade 2022PA Media
Some rainy weather didn't deter a giant crowd from enjoying the Belfast festivities
News imagePacemaker People attending Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade in 2022Pacemaker
Green-tinted glasses the eyewear of choice in Belfast
News imagePA Media Belfast Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl during Belfast's St Patrick's Day parade 2022PA Media
Belfast's Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl was suitably green for the day
News imagePacemaker A protestor dressed as St Patrick outside the Thales plant near BelfastPacemaker
Elsewhere in Belfast, a number of people - including one dressed as St Patrick - held an anti-war protest outside a site owned by missile-making firm Thales
News imageViolinist plays at St Patrick's grave in Downpatrick, County Down
In Downpatrick, a violinist plays at St Patrick's grave - the County Down town is considered the final resting place of Ireland's patron saint
News imageFamilies pose for pictures after climbing Slemish
Families pose for pictures after climbing Slemish mountain in County Antrim - the mountain is said to have been where St Patrick worked as a shepherd after first coming to Ireland
News imageMartin McKeown DerryMartin McKeown
Huge crowds took to the streets of Londonderry
News imageMartin McKeown DerryMartin McKeown
Colourful costumes were the order of the day for Derry's parade
News imageCharles McQuillan A group in fancy dress pose for a photo as Dubliners prepare to celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. St Patrick's Day celebrations return to the streets of Dublin after a two-year absence, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Charles McQuillan
Shamrocks aplenty in Dublin, where 400,000 were forecast to turn out for the parade
News imageCharles McQuillan A man in fancy dress poses for a photo as Dubliners celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. St Patrick's Day celebrations return to the streets of Dublin after a two-year absence, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Charles McQuillan
This St Patrick was ready for some shamrock and roll in Dublin
News imageCharles McQuillan Members of the local Ukrainian community pose for a photo with Ukrainian flags as Dubliners prepare to celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. St Patrick's Day celebrations return to the streets of Dublin after a two-year absence, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Charles McQuillan
Dublin's Ukraine community took part in the St Patrick's Day Parade

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