WATCH: Thousands flock to Adare for first St Patrick's Day parade in 23 years

THOUSANDS of locals lined the streets of Adare for St Patrick’s Day, marking the first parade to pass through the village in over 23 years.

Community groups, sports clubs, emergency service personnel and talented artists alike marched down Main Street this Thursday, as their creativity and character captivated the entire town.

Dolly O’ Neill, who previously marched as part of the Irish Red Cross community decades ago, now Adare’s oldest resident, led the procession as grand marshal.

She is celebrating her 99th year residing within the town.

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Greeted by a sea of green, she said: “I love this village. Thank you to the wonderful committee for putting this together and god bless.”

She was followed closely by the CBS pipe Band, Adare GAA, Adare Camogie, Adare Ladies Football Club, and Adare United AFC, as the next generation of talented athletes made their mark on the march.

Sirens serenaded the air from Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, the Civil Defence and An Garda Siochána, as men and women in uniform paraded proudly down the promenade.

The closing awards ceremony put the icing on the cake, as representatives from Lumen Street Theatre, Adare Men’s Shed and Frontline Stage School received their commemorative plaques.

Parade Chairperson Tricia Derwin concluded: “The amount of work that went into this is untold. We are absolutely delighted with the amount of people that came out to support us today.”