Bumper crowd enjoys Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day celebrations on glorious spring day

Fire performers, a rousing pipe band, a sweet throwing Elvis impersonator, a fleet of revving Faugheen 50 racing motorbikes and weight lifting strongmen were among the highlights of Carrick-on-Suir's  St Patrick's Day celebrations this afternoon (Sunday, March 16).

The town was blessed with a glorious spring day for the Carrick-on-Suir St Patrick's Day Three County Hinterland Festival that started with the town's traditional parade followed by a packed programme of attractions in the New Street Car Park opposite the Town Hall.

The organisers hailed it as the town's biggest ever parade and celebration enjoyed by a bumper crowd. 

The parade through the town centre kicked off at 1pm from the car park next to Carrick Library at Greenside and was led by a colour party from the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen. 

Behind them were the De La Salle Scouts Pipe Band from Waterford City followed by a float and walking group from Carrick-on-Suir's Third Tipperary Scouts, who went on to win the Cathleen Fahey Memorial Cup for best parade entry.

Next up were a contingent of Special Olympics athletes, who were the parade's joint grand marshals with Owning Hill based Joseph O'Brien Carriganóg Racing. Carrick-on-Suir World Special Olympics medallists - Declan Foley, Kellie O'Donnell and Gary Tobin - were among the marchers. 

Indeed, the town's wide variety of sports clubs were all well represented in the parade with large groups of their juvenile and youth members walking proudly in their club colours. Piltown GAA Club's members even crossed the Kilkenny border to take part in the parade. 

After the 40-minute long parade, the celebrations continued in the New Street Car Park until 5pm. The car park was thronged with visitors who gathered to watch flame performers twirl multiple lighting torches, strongmen lifting and carrying massive weights in the Carrick-on-Suir Strongman Contest and the performances of local musicians, singers and set dancers.

READ NEXT: Tipperary's largest town will be bustling with energy on St Patrick's Day

The festivities also included children's amusements, the Lar Corbett GAA Challenge Wall, BEAT FM outside broadcast unit, food stalls and Carrick Fire Brigade and CRITICAL First Responder Group vehicles and demonstrations.

A more detailed report and two pages of photos of Carrick-on-Suir's St Patrick's Day celebrations will be published in this week's edition of The Nationalist that goes on sale in local shops on Wednesday morning.

Young members of Carrick Swan GAA Club walking in Carrick-on-Suir St Patrick's Day Parade today (Sunday, March 16).