Belfast put on its new inclusive face today as St Patrick's Day was celebrated by thousands from all backgrounds.
Some of the many young people who took part in the Saint Patricks day celebrations in Belfast.
Multicultural, multiracial and cross-community - the annual parade was led by a unionist Lord Mayor and a colourful Chinese Dragon.
Banished were the St Patrick's Days of the past when only members of the nationalist community celebrated and unionists pointedly turned their backs.
Thousands of people lined the route as Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers led hundreds of people in a carnival procession through the city centre from Belfast City Hall to a free open air concert in Custom House Square.
Mr Rodgers said: "This sends out a really positive message that Belfast is moving forward at a tremendous rate. "As Lord Mayor I feel extremely proud today."
Council staff had worked really hard of recent years to make the parade a truly inclusive event, he said. "I have spoken to people from throughout the world today - people who have come here just for St Patrick's Day," said the Lord Mayor.
As the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which restored devolution approached, Mr Rodgers said: "It used to be in the past that only one community wanted to celebrate, but St Patrick is for everybody and today that, basically, is what has happened.
"There is no doubt that next year can be even bigger and better."
Shamrocks, green hats and green painted faces - whatever the colour of the skin beneath - were the order of the day as children and community groups from all corners of the city manned floats in the procession alongside drummers, dancers and Samba musicians.
At the concert afterwards there was an effort to appeal to all - entertainment was provided by the traditional Irish group Four Men and a Dog and the Ulster-Scots folk orchestra Nae Goats Toe.