WATCH: Colour and Craic in Rathkeale for St Patrick's Day

THE Rathkeale parade was a wash of green white and gold as locals took to the streets to celebrate everything local and Limerick. 

It’s one of the biggest parades outside the city as hundreds lined the streets to see their neighbours, friends, teammates and businesses gather for the event with one local saying: “it’s our best day, we waited all year for it.”

St Patrick led the procession down the main street and was followed by the Rathkeale Brass Band and newly crowned All-Ireland Champions Colaiste na Trocaire, who bet Dublin’s Lucan CBS in the Post Primary School hurling final. 

Rathkeale Boxing Club, The Butterfly Club, Rathkeale GAA, Scouts, St.Kierans Heritage Association, Church St National School, Croagh/ Kilfinny GAA and camogie club, Rathkeale AFC and Granagh Ballingarry Camogie made up much of the parade. 

Treats were thrown from floats to eager locals who were equally as festive for the day we honour our Patron Saint. 

Vintage cars and tractors as well as lorries and the odd pony added to the horse power that is the Rathkeale Parade.