Watch: We join the 50th Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade in Digbeth - but it wasn’t all Irish

It's back after five years. Birmingham's St Patrick's Day Parade has historically been among the biggest in Europe. The event takes place in the heart of the Irish quarter in Digbeth. It's the 50th parade in the city's history and organisers are promising "a celebration like no other".

Imogen says: “We've come out here to the St Patrick's Day Parade in Birmingham because I personally celebrate it every year. My family is Irish and it's just a good day, it's a good craic, everyone's happy vibes - the sun is shining as well so it's a nice day.”

Get a bespoke headline round-up, as well as breaking updates, when you sign up to BirminghamWorld’s free emails Suzie says: “To me I think that everyone's heritage should be celebrated so I make my friends you know to celebrate people's heritage and actually my gran's Irish so it's nice to celebrate.”

Birmingham's St. Patrick's Day Parade dates back to 1952. It was started by the community to reinforce their sense of identity and strong links with their home country. 

The city has a heritage of Irish migrants making it home dating back to the 1600s, with this increasing during the potato famine where many Irish people sought refuge here. The annual parade has attracted around 80,000 people in the past and is among the biggest St Patrick's Day parades in Europe.

St Patrick’s Day Parade in Birmingham isn’t just about being Irish

After its five year hiatus organisers promised a celebration like no other. It's a celebration that is embraced by the whole of Birmingham and its diverse cultures, while remaining a quintessentially Irish experience.

Imogen says: “I know a lot of people came over here back in the day. My nan was she travelled over when she was young and yeah just been brought up around Irish music and it's just it's just nice to celebrate”

Nickie says: “It's about everybody getting together in the Irish community is a big thing and we're a lovely bunch and Birmingham is as well so everybody should.”

The much anticipated return of the St Patrick's Day parade was a success, attracting thousands of people to celebrate the strong Irish heritage here in Birmingham. A proud day for the Irish community and their contributions to the city we see around us today.