It’s a green party!
Landmarks across globe illuminated to mark St Patrick’s Day
CELEBRATIONS are being given the green light today – and not just in Ireland.
Some 267 landmarks in 44 countries around the world are being illuminated in green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: ‘This is the eighth year of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative and it’s bigger and better than ever, with some wonderful new additions like One World Trade Center in New York, A’DAM Toren in Amsterdam, the Petit Palais in Paris and the Chain Bridge in Budapest.’
However, if you are planning to enjoy a parade in Ireland today, be sure to pack your brolly. Despite the sunny weather this week, the luck of the Irish seems to have run out, with Met Éireann predicting wet and windy conditions for today. Forecasters said the weather would be cool and mainly cloudy, with fresh and gusty west-to-southwest winds.
The day should start off dry for much of Munster and Leinster, but rain will spread over most of Connacht and Ulster during the morning. The rain is due to become more widespread through the afternoon, with highest temperatures between 9C and 11C.
But don’t let this dampen your spirits, as there is still plenty to enjoy. The country’s largest parade will kick off in Dublin’s city centre at noon, led by the silver medalwinning Olympic sailor Annalise Murphy. This year’s theme is ‘Ireland You Are’ – a celebration of a ‘culturally diverse, complex and brave society’.
Meanwhile, Cork’s St Patrick’s Day parade will kick off at 1pm. Celebrity chef Rachel Allen will lead the procession alongside the Lord Mayor of Cork Des Cahill.
In Galway, the parade will begin at 11.30am – and in recognition of the city being granted the EU title of European Green Leaf 2017, the event will highlight its commitment to the environment.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Eamon Martin has sent warm greetings to Irish people everywhere from Armagh – home of St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Primate of All Ireland added: ‘Conscious that our National Apostle first encountered Ireland as a migrant, I offer special greetings to the “new Irish” – the many migrants who have made their home among us.’
FROM the Great Wall to the Niagara Falls and from Rome’s Colosseum to Budapest’s Chain Bridge, the world will turn green today in honour of our national day. So let’s celebrate that extraordinary global reach, while at the same time enjoying the festival here on home soil as we celebrate what it is to be Irish in every city, town and village across the land. Enjoy every minute. Happy St Patrick’s Day!