THE dull grey skies over Cork city were reflected in the annual St Patrick's Day parade that wound its way through the city.
There were 70 entries but the excitement and imaginative community art project entries of former years were missing. Some 15,000 people lined the paraded route through Patrick Street, the Grand Parade and the South Mall as the floats, dancers, bands and commercial vehicles passed by.
A group calling themselves Living Spaces dominated the awards, although they were not present to receive them at the ceremony after the parade. They won the best overall, best voluntary, most spectacular and best new entry prizes.
There were three bands in the 12 categories and the most popular were the Boston Police Gaelic Column who were sponsored by Murphy's Brewery and won the best commercial prize. The best pipe band award went to the Irish Prison Officers Band, while the local Mayfield Brass Band took the award in the brass section.
Cork Corporation was named as the best business effort, Youth Link received the best youth entry award, O'Brien's School of Irish Dancing was the best traditional entry, Rehab Recycling was the best green entry and RTE was named as the best live action entry.
The best rural prize was not awarded. Judging by crowd reaction the most popular entries were a Father Ted group and Mrs Doyle as Minister for Tea and Sandwiches.
While Cork city had the largest parade in the region, just a few miles away in the village of Glaunthane the locals were making a major effort to have the shortest parade on record. The main attraction was the Boston Police Gaelic Band, who led the group the full 146 yards from the church to the local pub.
The gardai were on hand to officially measure the distance and record it as the shortest St Patrick's, Day parade in the world for entry in the Guinness Book of Records. They will have to wait six months before they know if they are successful.