Over 60 thousand people have turned out in Dublin for the annual Pride parade.
Among those taking part in this year’s event was former President Mary McAleese, who said it was "an Ireland to be proud of".
She was also joined by Children's Minister Katherine Zappone, as well as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's parents.
Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, with her husband Martin (second left) and her son Justin (second right) and his husband Fionan (right) during the Pride Parade in Dublin. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images
The turnout was double that of last year and Festival Director Jed Dowling said he had never expected such a strong turn out: "If I think about the results of the referendum a couple of weeks ago, and the results of the referendum back in 2015, you should never underestimate just how amazing Irish people are."
The parade began at St Stephen's Green at 2pm, with the route taking festival-goers to Smithfield. From noon, a series of speeches took place at Stephen's Green ahead of the march itself. The parade was then followed by events and street parties in venues across the city.
Government Buildings were illuminated in rainbow colours for a second night tonight to celebrate Pride.
On the 24th of June, the Government marked the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland. To coincide with Dublin Pride 2018, Government Buildings will be illuminated in the Pride colours on Friday and Saturday evening. #Pride2018 pic.twitter.com/mXLfAEsuvr
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) June 29, 2018
