The sky was the limit for the brave souls at Nenagh's St Patrick's Day festivities

An estimated 5,000 people turned out in Nenagh to mark St Patrick’s Day.

With no parade, festivities were spread around the town creating a buzz as buskers taking part in the Nenagh Tidy Towns organised busking competition entertained those who strolled around soaking up the atmosphere.

The main activities were concentrated around the courthouse grounds, Banba Square and Nenagh Tourist Office where music rang out throughout the afternoon as country music legend Brendan Shine took to the stage alongside local acts such as Bubba Shakespeare, the Callanan McCloone O’Meara School of Irish Dance, Musical Theatre Academy Nenagh, trad bands and the familiar sounds of Nenagh Ormond Brass Band. Local DJ JP O’Meara kept the buzz going between acts.

Among the stalls were Nenagh Country Market, Fox Fire Forge giving a demonstration of blacksmithing, funfair rides and a coconut shy with the promise of a prize every time.

There was even a long queue for ice-creams, a rarity for St Patrick’s Day given the weather we normally expierience!!!

Huge crowds waited in line for a spin on the mini-train organised with Nenagh Chamber.

Those with a head for heights lined up outside the courthouse to experience what it is like to go up Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service’s extension hoist. The reward was a panoramic view over the town.

For those who wanted the same view but needed to stay on terra firma they could climb the steps to the top of Nenagh Castle where guide Kevin Whelan was waiting to show them around.

Kevin revealed that close to 1,000 people climbed the castle steps over the day.

Many more were happy to climb inside the fire engine on display.

“There are a lot of happy people out there,” was how David Spain, one of the organisers, along with Tipperary County Council, summed up the day. “That’s what we like to see.”

The festivities had actually begun on Tuesday and David revealed that over 600 primary school children visited the castle between then and Thursday to hear local storyteller and RTE presenter Tom Bán tell the story of St Patrick.

Thursday saw a well-supported disco organised by The A Team autism support in the local Gaelscoil.