Sydney's St Patrick's Day started out wet but there was no parade to rain on.
The 2016 parade was cancelled, with organisers blaming the light rail construction work closing parts of George Street, coupled with huge debts incurred from the rained-out event last year.
The parade won't run again until the reported $150,000 debt is paid off, which organisers hope will happen in time for 2017.
"It's with a lot of sadness that we cannot fund the event this year," president Robert Kineavy said in a statement.
However, the parade cancellation didn't stop Irish-lovers and nationals from honouring Ireland's patron saint and celebrating all things green at the city's pubs as the early rain gave way to sunshine.
Sydney's professional St Patrick impersonator Tomas Hamilton lamented the parade's disappearance while holding court at backpacker haunt Scruffy Murphy's.
"I was disappointed because it generated a lot of support and it's getting back to the stage where people are proud of their heritage," he said.
"The organisers didn't have an option because last year they made such a loss because it rained out and insurance didn't cover it."
While St Patrick's Day usually offers a boost for the bad pun T-shirt business offering "Kiss Me I'm Irish" and "Craic Dealer" apparel, Simon the T-shirt seller says the lack of a parade has dampened profits.
"People would start on the Friday, with the parade on Sunday and I would get three days of sales with the parade bringing 2000 people to one spot," he yelled over a band playing a Corrs cover.
"I have sold a couple to the kebab shop guys though."
The City of Sydney Council said it had supported previous St Pat's parades but didn't offer funding this year due to organisers wanting to move the event to Bondi to avoid the construction zone.
"As this is outside the City of Sydney local government area the event is no longer eligible for funding from the City," a spokeswomen said.
A trail of green glitter and discarded leprechaun hats through the Rocks led to the Mercantile pub where a traditional band led the pulsing dance floor through The Rocky Road to Dublin.
Earlier in the day, the pub had taken up a collection plate to get the parade back on its feet for next year, but Ray Murphy from Dundalk in Ireland was just content sitting in the back bar staving off homesickness.
"I came over for a better future for my kids. Back home there's no prospects for them," he said.
"But I do get homesick, that's why we try to make a bit of effort to come out. It really brings you back home to your roots."
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