The St Patrick's Day craic started early in Belfast where over 1300 took part in the city's first Patron Saint's Day fun run.
The running revellers started out from City Hall at 9am and headed west into the Gaeltacht Quarter before doubling back to run through the Cathedral Quarter in the city centre towards the finish line at the Titanic Slipways.
Billed as an inclusive, cross-community event, the SPAR Craic 10K was set to benefit the building campaign of the NI Hospice to the tune of £10k — and donations can still be made at Just Giving.
"We wanted to put a smile on the face of Belfast and we certainly achieved that," said organiser Connla McCann. "The inspiration for our run came from St Louis, Missouri, where up to 15,000 take part in the pre-march fun run on St Patrick's Day. We aren't at those numbers yet but I have no doubt the SPAR Craic 10K is now part of the civic calendar and will grow in the time ahead."
St Patrick's Day festivities continue in Belfast today with a parade from City Hall to Custom House Square where a family concert is to take place. Féile an Phobail have also got into the St Patrick's Day swing by locating their Féile an Earraigh marquee in the city centre Writers Square.