Shanti, a seven-year-old Wire Fox Terrier, left, and Samson, a nine-month-old King Charles, get into their stride during the St Patrick's Day parade in An Cheathrú Rua. Shanti's birthday falls the day after St Patrick's day. It is rumoured both are bidding to becoming chief marshals at next year's event.

Dragons and 'Haka' bring fun and fanfare as crowds turn out for multi-coloured St Patrick's Day parade

(You can see photographs from the parade by clicking here. If your photo is here and you would like the watermark removed email the photographer here.

The rain didn't keep the crowds away nor did the wind blow some of the fancy floats away as crowds gathered from far and wide to celebrate St Patrick's Day at the parade in An Cheathrú Rua.

The rain did soon disappear as the parade set off. The participants provided a wide array of colour, humour and eccentricity. The chief participants were children, dressed to the nines as Oirish Paddies with flaming red hair, big leprechaun hats with plenty of face paint. Some looked ready for an ancient Celtic battle of sorts. They were guided by their more soberly dressed teachers and parents. As with all good parades there seemed to be as many marching than there was watching from the roadside.

There were many highlights: always spectacular were children from Cumann Rugbaí na Gaeltachta who drew applause with their regular stops to perform the "Haka". Bunscoil Leitir Mealláin's vividly coloured dragon snaked up Bóthar Buí followed by classmates under parasols. They won an award for this beautiful display. Rather less beautiful were the scenes of pandemonium on another float where Pádraig "an Tailliúir" Ó Conghaile and Gearóid Breathnach were desperately trying to stop an overflowing toilet. That theme was continued on another where a gentleman was revealed "spending a penny". All tastefully done and all to draw attention to the current anti-wastewater levy campaign. Vintage cars, sea rescue craft and a small rally of powerful motorbikes added to the sound and the spectacle.