St Patrick's Day festivities in pictures

Colourful celebrations got underway on Sunday as St Patrick's Day was marked.

Thousands gathered to enjoy parades across the UK and Ireland.

Landmarks and rivers turned green as dancers and entertainers performed to deep crowds in towns and cities including Belfast, Dublin and Downpatrick in County Down - the patron saint's burial place.

Have a peek at the festivities as they unfolded.

Dancers in the Dublin parade

Three happy revellers in Dublin

Members of the Artane Band in Dublin's annual parade

A reveller shows off his high kick in Belfast

There were plenty of colourful characters in Belfast's well-attended parade

Saint Patrick took time to greet children lining the parade route in Belfast

The Duchess of Cambridge after the St Patrick's Day parade at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, where she presented shamrock to officers and guardsmen of 1st Battalion the Irish Guards

Downpatrick's celebrations took place within reach of the iconic St Patrick's Centre and Down Cathedral - where the patron saint is buried

Derry City and Strabane Mayor John Boyle paid particular mention to the city's young people for showcasing "their tremendous imagination" in the parade

A jet skier got into the St Patrick's Day spirit on Lough Erne

St Patrick went hi-tech in Enniskillen, landing by helicopter for the celebrations