There was plenty of colour, cheer and lots of fun on the town's streets on Thursday as a massive crowd of spectators gathered once again to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Clare Buckley with her twin daughters Eve and Faye enjoying the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Klaus Ernst taking part in the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Spectators enjoying the atmosphere at the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Delighted with their appearance at the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

SPECTATORS: Spectators enjoying the atmosphere at the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

FUN: Klaus Ernst (L) and Maitú Gray (R) taking part in the St Patrick's Festival Parade on the streets of Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

BEST GREENING BUILDING: ANAM - Arts and Cultural Centre on East Avenue Road Killarney managed by Killarney Municipal District Council has been voted Best Greening Building in this year’s St Patrick's Festival Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

BEST SHOP FRONT: Bricín on High Street has been voted Best Greening Shopfront in this year’s St Patrick's Festival Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

FREE BEER: Timmy O'Donoghue Killarney Brewing drenching spectators with free beer at the St Patrick's Festival Parade on the streets of Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

COLOURFUL BUTTERFLIES: Students of the Fiona Crowley Stage School taking part in the St Patrick's Festival Parade Killarney on Main Street Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

COLOURFUL: Sebastian Klapa enjoying himself at the St Patrick's Festival Parade on the streets of Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fiona Crowley being interviewed by Brendan Fuller MC in the St Patrick's Festival Parade Killarney on Main Street Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

HIGH JUMPER: Olympian High Jumper and International Athlete Killarney's Jordon Lee taking part in St Patrick's Festival Parade on the streets of Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

FAMILY TIME: President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Cllr. Niall Kelleher with this family enjoying the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

MUSIC: Millstreet Pipe Band playing in the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Sebastian Klapa enjoying the St Patrick's Festival Parade on Main Street Killarney on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

SOLIDARITY: Annalisa Hoek and Robert Le Livre taking part in the St Patrick's Festival Parade on the streets of Killarney on St Patrick's Day. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

The rain stayed away as up to 50 floats made their way through the streets starting on Mission Road, along East Avenue Road, College St, Plunkett St, Main St, New St finishing up on Beech Rd.

The guests of honour at this year's parade, organised and funded by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland, were Margaret Cahill and her husband, Jimmy Dunne, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Marie Moloney and her husband, Michael, and President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Niall Kelleher.

There was plenty of cheering as the floats, musicians and local groups made their way through the town. 

They included: Mike McDonough, Annalisa and Roberto carrying the St Patrick's Day banner, The Colour Party, An Garda Síochána, Killarney Fire Service, Order of Malta, Fiona Crowley Stage School, 12 indigenous butterflies of Killarney National Park, Eagle float 4th of July, American Legion Fr Francis P Duffy, Gleneagle Brass Band, Killarney Celtic Football Club, The 'Mac'ademy, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Raheen National School, Little Explorers Preschool, Two Mile Community National School, Balloon float, Irwin School of Irish Dancing, Spa GAA Club, MD O'Shea’s float, Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, Kingdom Party Pals, Millstreet Pipe Band, Enchanted Ireland Tours, American Flag float, Killarney Legion GAA Club, Great Southern Hotel, Killarney Park Hotel and The Ross Hotel Wander Wild float, Killarney Rugby Football Club, Killarney Athletic AFC, Hat Float, Scorchers Cheerleaders, Bubble Garden, Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage, Killarney Ploughing Association, Purple Flag Mascot, Kilcummin GAA Club, Nicky Lenihan, Craiceann Drum Band, Dr Crokes GAA Club, Christmas In Killarney float, Michael Joe Lenihan, Fossa GAA, Pat Cullinane, Munster Honda Goldwing Club, Saloon Bar float.

Afterwards Bricín on High Street was been voted Best Greening Shopfront. Proprietors brothers Johnny and Paddy McGuire, decorated their shop front to perfection. The story of Ireland's patron saint, St Patrick, adorned one side of the shop and a display of Kerry artists, including the work of Killarney photographer, Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan’s latest book 'Killarney Behind the Mask' on the other side.

ANAM - Arts and Cultural Centre, on East Avenue Road, managed by Killarney Municipal District Council, was voted Best Greening Building.