Of all the causes the name Osama Bin Laden might have been connected with, a campaign against the privatisation of Sligo's refuse collection service would hardly spring to mind. But a lobby group, whose car-stickers proclaim, "We've bin had", couldn't resist bringing the infamous Saudi's name into the St Patrick's Day parade in Sligo.
Placards carried by members of the anti-privatisation Community Alliance urged people to recycle, ordered "councillors on your bike" and proclaimed "Bin Haden is alive and well in the Town Hall".
They were only one of a number of local campaign groups who decided to use the event to highlight their cause. An action group established to campaign for an increased allocation from the National Roads Authority to enable the long-awaited inner relief road to go ahead this year paraded with a symbolic nappy-clad baby.
Their message was that, thanks to the Government, the road was "still in nappies", Sligo was "the world's longest car-park" and the question was "Will I not have the road when I grow up?"
Not to be outdone, a group opposed to a planned ESB power-line across the Co Sligo countryside had a wooden pylon mounted on the back of a truck. "People or pylons - support underground power" was the message.
Surrounding these political campaigners were entries from schools, clubs and businesses - girl guides, boy scouts, gymnasts, line-dancers, a mountain rescue team, a rowing club, stilt-walkers, dogs rescued by the SPCA, puppets, vintage cars, and horses and carts.
For contrast, 30 engine-revving bikers followed an "Our Lady of Fatima" entry consisting of a two-foot statue strapped to the top of a transit van.
About a dozen bands took part, most from the North, their trips sponsored by the International Fund for Ireland.
The pupils of Urseline College drew applause with their giant snake followed by a cane-wielding St Patrick.
Some businesses could be faulted for using the event more to show their wares than stretch the imagination. Spectators were treated to a display of new cars, fuel trucks, a recovery truck and giant tyres.
Sligo's largest employer, Abbotts, had an impressive Harry Potter entry, crowded with children in witches' hats.
The Letterkenny parade, featuring 10 bands and dozens of floats, was sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Big crowds also turned out in Ballyshannon and Bundoran. In Donegal town, the event coincided with the end of a 10-day heritage festival.
A weekend walking festival in Ardara attracted about 300 people.