Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade was a colourful and joyous celebration

Young performers from Mala's variety group taking part in Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade. Photo Anne Marie Magorrian 

Thousands of spectators enjoyed one of Carrick-on-Suir's most colourful and joyous St Patrick's Day Parades ever this afternoon as the sun shone brightly for the pageant. 

One of the town's sporting heroes, Shamrock Rovers star defender Lee Grace, was the parade Grand Marshal.

Lee, who helped Rovers win their fourth League of Ireland title in a row a few months ago, walked in the parade ahead of a large contingent of young soccer players from his former club, Carrick United FC, where he first honed his soccer skills.

There was an equally impressive turnout of Carrick-on-Suir's other rich array of sports clubs, community, music and dance organisations in the parade that started and finished at the car park next to Carrick-on-Suir Library.

A flag colour party of Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women Defence Forces veterans led the pageant and were followed by Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band.

A new addition to the parade was the Dublin based Hit Machine drumming ensemble, who certainly made their presence loudly felt as did the members of Carrick-on-Suir Fire Brigade.

The parade's most colourful entries were the young dancers of Mala Raggett's variety group and the large walking group of residents from the town's Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre, who wore green t-shirts bearing the slogan “Go Raibh Maith Agat Carraig na Siúire”.

Many spectators joined with the parade participants in donning the green, white and gold with pride for the occasion. And town centre shops got in on the act decorating their front windows with a St Patrick's Day theme.

Check out this week's edition of The Nationalist that goes on sale in local shops on Wednesday for a more detailed report and full photo coverage of Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day Parade.