Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Galway this evening for the annual Macnas parade through the city.
Titled 'Out of the Wild Sky', the event involved more than 300 performers, who weaved their way along a two kilometre route.
Gardaí say the attendance at the parade was the largest ever seen since the street theatre company moved its event to the October Bank Holiday weekend some years ago.
Crowds lined the entire route from University Road, through the heart of the city, to Claddagh Quay.
What a #MacnasParade through the streets of Galway tonight - report coming up on @rtenews at 9... tune in to see if you’re on the telly pic.twitter.com/pHt0Z0wbSt
— Pat McGrath (@patmcgrath) October 28, 2018
#MacnasParade in full swing pic.twitter.com/vAUuOWqfH7
— Pat McGrath (@patmcgrath) October 28, 2018
@rtenews pic.twitter.com/JiJ5TkmXjf
— Pat McGrath (@patmcgrath) October 28, 2018
Every available vantage point was taken as the latest Macnas creations took to the streets.
The company’s Artistic Director, Noeline Kavanagh, said the parade was the culmination of months of planning.
She said the event was designed to "lift the soul" and expressed delight at the huge crowd that turned out to enjoy the hour long mix of music, theatre and special effects.
Macnas will aim to repeat it all tomorrow, when the company takes part in the Bram Stoker festival in Dublin.
LIVE: Final preparations ahead of this evening’s #MacnasParade in #Galway https://t.co/eiIYfUnHyf
— Pat McGrath (@patmcgrath) October 28, 2018
