The St Patrick's Day Parade in Sligo has been re-routed to avoid the newly pedestrianised main street.
Traditionally O'Connell Street has always been closed off to traffic, and is open to pedestrians only on St Patrick's Day to facilitate the annual parade.
However this year - following the actual pedestrianisation of the street - the parade is not going down it, but is instead taking a longer route skirting around the centre of the town.
This has angered many local people but the parade PRO has defended the decision to avoid the main thoroughfare.
Cllr Tony McLoughlin said the decision was as a result of a request from Sligo Borough Council officials.
They requested the parade not go through O'Connell Street because of the planned upgrading of the street and he said that, despite public opposition on the move, the parade committee's decision is final.
