In pictures: St Patrick’s Day parades in Dublin and elsewhere

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Game Of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham were among the famous faces taking part in Dublin.

Published Mar 17, 2018

Participants take part in the St Patrick’s day parade as it makes it’s way down O’Connell street in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The force was with revellers in Dublin as Star Wars actor Mark Hamill became international guest of honour at St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city.

The Luke Skywalker actor, whose great-grandmother was born in Kilkenny, spent time in Co Kerry filming the latest instalment of the sci-fi series, The Last Jedi.

He joined President Michael D Higgins and a host of other dignitaries as a colourful parade got under way in the Irish capital.

Mark Hamill is guest of honour at this year's celebrations (Brian Lawless/PA) — Mark Hamill is guest of honour at this year’s celebrations (Brian Lawless/PA)

Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham led the celebrations (Brian Lawless/PA)

Thousands of people lined O'Connell Street as the parade got under way (Brian Lawless/PA) — Thousands of people lined O’Connell Street as the parade got under way (Brian Lawless/PA)

Colourful floats on O'Connell Street in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) — Colourful floats on O’Connell Street in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took part in the equivalent parade in New York City