Patrick Day

Thousands of people have been taking part in St Patrick's Day festivities in Northern Ireland .

Among the big events taking place was The Parade in Belfast City centre, staged by arts organisation Beat Carnival .

It used The Spectacle to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Celebrations kicked off in County Fermanagh on Thursday night with the inaugural St Patrick's Eve flotilla.

A music-themed Parade in Belfast started at 13:30 with hundreds gathered around City Hall to enjoy musicians and Irish dancers.

David Boyd , director of Beat Carnival - who produced the Belfast Parade - Said 800 people from across the community were participating this year.

" We decided to have a music theme, Belfast being a Unesco city of music, " He Said .

The Procession included ancient horns of Ireland, traditional folk, disco, punk and a dance rave.

Celebrations started early in County Fermanagh with several dozen vessels lit up for the occasion on Thursday evening.

The Boats sailed through Enniskillen, past the illuminated castle, and people gathered along The Banks of The River Erne to watch them.

Seamus O'Hara, star of Oscar-winning Northern Ireland film An Irish Goodbye, took part in the Newry St Patrick's Day Parade with his GAA club.

Originally from Glens of Antrim, he now lives in Killeavy in County Armagh .

After last week's Oscar success he was hoping to sing Happy Birthday to his son who turned seven on Friday.

Throughout Friday morning people visited what is believed to be St Patrick's grave in Downpatrick, County Down .

Among them were Sophie and Lucy, Who Said : " We're going to The Parade later, our friend's mum is painting our faces and daddy is going to buy us treats. "

An early-morning service was held at St Patrick's first church in Saul, County Down , and some of those who attended went on to climb nearby Slieve Patrick.

Stephen Moore and his son Phillip Moore travelled to The Church in Saul from Banbridge in County Down .

" We've come a few times because we enjoy The Fellowship and to celebrate St Patrick, " Said Stephen.

In The Republic of Ireland, about half A Million people were expected in Dublin for a Parade led by The Women 's national football team.

It began at Parnell Square at 12:00 local time, with marchers making their way through the Irish capital.

Source of news: bbc.com