The best pictures from Dublin Pride 2018

The Defence Forces of the Republic of Ireland took part in the parade in uniform for the very first time

(PA)

The annual Dublin Pride parade took place on Saturday, 25 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland.

Thousands of people took to the streets with rainbow-coloured clothes, decorations and makeup galore for the celebrations, including former president Mary McAleese and minister for health Simon Harris.

This year’s parade, themed “We are family”, saw members of the Defence Forces take part for the very first time in their military uniform.

Mark Mellett, chief of staff of the Defence Forces of Ireland and Irish Naval Service vice admiral, professed his support for the parade on Twitter.

“Army Band help make a wonderful day for society,” he wrote.

“ÓglaighnahÉireann soldiers [soldiers of Ireland], sailors and aircrew, friends and families in LGBT and Allies network, #DefendwithPride and epitomise diversity and inclusion in our military #Pride2018.”

Here are 10 of the best pictures from Dublin Pride 2018:

In June, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar offered a formal apology to those who were prosecuted for being gay prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993.

“Today the people I want to pay a special tribute to are the unknown heroes, the thousands of people whose names we do not know, who were criminalised by our forbears,” he told the Dáil Éireann during a parliamentary debate, according to RTÉ.

“What we can say is that we have learned as a society from their suffering. Their stories have helped change us for the better; they have made us more tolerant, more understanding and more human.”

While same-sex marriage has been legal in the Republic of Ireland since 16 November 2015, it still remains illegal in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke at Dublin Pride about her party’s staunch mission to legalise same-sex marriage in the region.

“We stand in solidarity to those in the North who are still struggling to have their families recognised in the most basic of ways - marriage equality,” she said, according to the Sinn Féin website.

“The people here, the people of pride are an unstoppable force. Rights are for all. Equality is for all. Change is coming and make no mistake the North is next.”