Thousands line the streets of Cork city for spectacular St Patrick's Day celebration   

In the end there was only a light drizzle to rain on Cork’s 124th St Patrick’s Day parade and by the time it fell, the two-hour show was almost over.

Garda estimates said as many as 60,000 people gathered in the city centre to see a record 3,600 participants in the parade.

Seventeen dogs from Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind stole the show early on, serving as grand marshals for the Cork city St Patrick’s Day parade.

Leading the parade on motorcycles were 18 volunteers from Blood Bike South, who got around the Cork festival’s prohibition on mechanically propelled vehicles by striking out three minutes before the official start.

Flanking the Blood Bike volunteers were community garda outriders on bicycles, followed by the Defence Forces Band of the 1st Brigade and members of the Irish Army and the Naval Service.

More than 3,600 participants took part in the parade, which welcomed international groups including The McKinney High School Royal Pride Marching Band from Texas, the DC Everest Senior High Marching Band from Wisconsin, and Batala, the international collection of Samba groups from the UK, France, Austria and America.

Community groups 

More than 60 different community groups took part in the parade, and each one gave it socks, putting their hearts and souls into putting on a show for onlookers all along what was a very long route.

By the time the parade wound to a close, there can’t have been a child along the front lines who didn’t receive multiple high fives from participants.

The Rebel Wheelers were showstoppers, shooting basketballs – mostly on target – at a mobile hoop and eliciting cheers all along the route.

Conor Coughlan, one of the Rebel Wheelers, said the day was all about having fun.

“We have a range of clubs for kids and adults with disabilities, and I’m part of the wheelchair basketball club, we have wheelchair rugby, we have boccia, everything you can name, we have it,” he said.

Much entertainment was supplied by local arts organisations Cork Community Art Link, Cork Puppetry Company, and national arts group Spraoi.

Huge welcome

A giant heron craned and jerked along the city streets, and was followed by a bloated frog which licked the air while croaking and belching.

There was a huge welcome for the Cork LGBT+ group, and there were particularly warm cheers for the group Mammies for Trans Rights.

Up by the viewing stand, member of the Cork Deaf Club enjoyed pole position, and Angela Dennehy from Blackpool, speaking through Irish Sign Language interpreter Suzanne Carey, said it was a very special day.

Having started with the guide dogs, the parade ended with a Shetland pony called Dolly representing Cork City Fire Brigade, and pulling a restored fire tender which dates back more than a century and saw duty during the Burning of Cork.

For the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, inspecting the St Patrick’s Day parade was a highlight of his year so far.

Speaking to The Echo at the viewing stand by Father Mathew’s statue on Patrick's St, Mr Dennehy said he was delighted to see such a vibrant and colourful gathering in the heart of the city for the country's national day.

“It’s absolutely incredible, what a turnout for St Patrick's Day, this is our largest parade ever, more than 3,600 people taking part, representing the city that we are today,” he said.

“What an honour it is to see multicultural groups from all over our city, groups from America, people from all over the world who are making their home here, and making our city a better place, it’s a wonderful day, and the rain held off for the most part, which is a huge plus."

“It’s a fantastic day for Cork, and it’s a very great honour to be Lord Mayor today, just like it is every day.”

With more than 60 community groups participating, the parade was a multicultural celebration of community, friendship, and a Cork that tries to live up to the promised hundred thousand welcomes.