Gardaí in Dublin, Galway and Cork last night reported no major incidents during the St Patrick's Day celebrations and commended off-licences for respecting requests not to open before 4pm.
About 1,000 gardaí were on duty in the Dublin metropolitan area yesterday as part of a major security operation.
Building material on O'Connell Street had been cleared away for the weekend to avoid a repeat of the rioting surrounding the "Love Ulster" parade last month.
Following negotiations between gardaí and off-licences in recent weeks, many establishments in the centre of the city, where parade spectators gathered, respected the Garda request not to open before 4pm.
A Garda spokesman said last night that there had been no major incidents and that the day's festivities had passed off peacefully.
This was in marked contrast to last year's festivities, when more than 700 people were arrested around the State for public order offences.
One senior officer on duty in Temple Bar said that yesterday had been a "fantastic" day for the city, with a "great atmosphere", and he thanked off-licences for respecting the request not to serve alcohol until after 4pm.
Along the city's main thoroughfares, security personnel rigorously checked identity and age cards before admitting people to bars, while gardaí occasionally talked to and advised those who were drunk.
Gardaí mounted a high-profile operation across the city, in particular on Grafton Street, where some 44 gardaí were patrolling the area at one point last night. Senior officers on duty on Grafton Street said that not only had there been "no major incidents", there had been "no incidents" to report.
They commended Dublin City Council, off-licences, publicans and the public for their combined effort in making yesterday a peaceful and enjoyable day.
Those enjoying the festivities yesterday evening were described as "boisterous but calm". "When people see gardaí on the street, they feel safe and can enjoy their night," one officer said.
Following the dispersal of some 400,000 spectators, Dublin City Council began a massive clean-up operation early yesterday afternoon.
Accident and emergency departments reported no significant increase in admittances during the day, but they expected to become busier as the night progressed.
Across the country, Garda stations reported a much quieter March 17th than last year, with only a small number of arrests relating to drunken behaviour and drink-driving.