Bristol's biggest St Patrick's Day parade to date - in pictures
The parade filled the streets with Irish floats, caricatures, music, and dancing
Spectators lined the streets of the city centre today for Bristol's biggest St Patrick's Day parade to date. The celebration of Irish culture brought music, dance and splashes of green, in the event staged by W.E. Irish (West of England Irish community group).
There was activities and displays of Irish dancing from four different schools in the Bristol area, as well as Irish musicians and folk singers. There was also be two dedicated bars celebrating Ireland's best liquid exports - Guinness and Irish Whisky.
Bristol Deputy Lord Mayor and W.E. Irish parade organiser, Paula O'Rourke, said: "With a belief that celebrating culture is transformative within communities, we are looking forward to bringing everyone, Irish or not, together for a big celebration and appreciation of what Irish people, past and present, have contributed to the West of England.
"Beyond the stereotypes, we're extremely proud of our Irish heritage, culture and tradition and can't wait to showcase the diversity in the city and to share learnings from the stories of Irish families in Bristol."
Huge crowds gathered today (March 17) to watch Bristol's biggest ever St Patrick's parade to date. The West of England Irish community group staged the event to celebrate Irish culture with music, and dance and the pictures speak for themselves.
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This year, the theme for the Parade was 'Sea of Migration', so all Irish diaspora who now call Bristol 'Home Away from Home' are invited to walk under this banner. Those involved with the parade started arriving the take part from midday.
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The parade began at 1pm outside M Shed, and the streets were filled with Irish floats, caricatures, decorated cars and bicycles, music, and dancing. There were displays of Irish dancing from four different schools in the Bristol area.
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Bristol Deputy Lord Mayor and W.E. Irish parade organiser, Paula O'Rourke, said: "With a belief that celebrating culture is transformative within communities, we are looking forward to bringing everyone, Irish or not, together for a big celebration and appreciation of what Irish people, past and present, have contributed to the West of England.
"Beyond the stereotypes, we're extremely proud of our Irish heritage, culture and tradition and can't wait to showcase the diversity in the city and to share learnings from the stories of Irish families in Bristol."
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The parade included performances from Irish musicians and folk singers. The event stopped at Queen Square for a short performance of music and dance before the procession continued and finished at St Nicks.
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The parade was free to attend but a ticketed after-party has been planned toll run until 8pm at St Nicks Market's Glass Arcade and Revolution Bar on St Stephen's Street, where family-friendly festivities will continue.
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There was also two dedicated bars celebrating Ireland's best liquid exports - Guinness and Irish Whisky.
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