TRADITIONAL St Patrick's parades and festivities yesterday made way for online events to remember Ireland's patron saint.
While the ongoing coronavirus restrictions meaning that large gatherings were ruled out, people this year had to celebrate St Patricks Day virtually.
From the comfort of their own homes, people across the north were able to join numerous online events.
In Belfast, there were numerous festivities online, including eight hours of entertainment live-streamed from St Joseph's Church in Sailortown to celebrate cultural and historical heritage of the area.
Three-piece band, Dál Riada Folk, singer songwriters Amanda St John and Anthony Toner and The Lee Hedley Band were among those to perform.
Country music singer Nathan Carter and his band also took to the stage at the Crumlin Road Gaol in the city with the performance streamed live.
Irish language festivals and a virtual guided tour of the city's street art and an online disco were also among the online events held to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
There was also the opportunity to rewatch events from St Patrick's Day parades in Belfast from previous years as well as highlights of home-grown talent from the Belfast Children's Festival to mark National Young Carers Day.
In Downpatrick, a wreath was laid at St Patrick's grave by a local mental health professional, while a virtual prayer pilgrimage and a live-streamed service was held from Down Cathedral.
Organised by the Diocese of Down and Dromore, a specially commissioned ‘Muddy Prayer Trail’ based on words from St Patrick’s Breastplate, also took place on social media.
The Prayer Pilgrimage was inspired by Patrick’s journey from slave to missionary and was filmed in Downpatrick to replace the usual walk from Saul Church to Down Cathedral.
The St Patrick's Centre in Downpatrick also hosted a new show on Ireland's patron saint as part of its virtual celebrations, which also marked its 20 year anniversary.
Former BBC journalist Martina Purdy and ex-barrister Elaine Kelly, who are pilgrim guides on the new St Patrick's Way, hosted a series of podcasts, which included guests Eamonn Holmes and Irish cellist Patrick Dexter, who has found online fame with his open-air recitals, shot outside his cottage in Co Mayo.
A festival St Patrick also took place virtually in Armagh with an online wreath making and an Irish dancing master class from Riverdance’s Jason O’Neill.
