OVER 30,000 turned out to watch the Limerick parade, where peace was the predominant theme. It also marked the beginning of the city's Civic Week.
The colour party, pipe band, and marchers from the FCA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, together with the originality of the floats, resulted in the most colourful parade yet.
The mayor, Alderman Jim Kemmy, the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, and Bishop John Magee - making one of his last public appearances before returning to the diocese of Cloyne next week when the new bishop of Limerick is installed - were among those on the reviewing stand.
Craggaunowen - the Living and the Dead took the parade's top award, while the Civic and Community category went to Greenpeace. The award for the best new entry went to Limerick Travellers' Group.