A scorching day of 35 degrees did not deter over 25,000 people from the first mass celebration in years.
There were bands playing Irish music on traditional instruments and First Fleet Park was enclosed, complete with a temporary stage which soon was filled to capacity, full of joyous revellers.
Traditional Irish fare could be consumed at length with tables set up along George Street behind the Museum Of Contemporary Art.
A poignant Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony was held by First Nation participants before dignitaries of Irish heritage on the lawn in front of the the MCA.
There was more Irish dancing to be had at Customs House Square where children and youths from different Irish dance studios performed all day.
Everywhere you went ‘Irish eyes were smiling’.
Text and photos by Ben Apfelbaum
