We’re all dyeing to be Irish
Whole world will be turning green this weekend to celebrate our national saint
ST Patrick’s Day is already in full swing all over the world because the patron saint’s day has now become a week of celebrations.
But this year’s St Patrick’s Day programme is the largest to date with 38 representatives of the State attending over 1,000 official events in 84 cities in 47 countries.
Other countries must be green with envy as everyone in the world seems to find that little bit of Irish in them at this time of year, a boom to our reputation internationally.
Global greening was scrapped for environmental reasons – so no more of seeing The Sydney Opera House, the Empire State building and the Eiffel Tower shining green at night.
But one tradition will go ahead, the fantastic dyeing green of the Chicago river in the Windy City, which will take place on Saturday this year, a day ahead of March 17.
The tradition, put on by the Chicago Plumbers Union, or Local 130 as it is officially known, dates back nearly to 1961.
TRADITION
The dye powder is actually an orange-rust colour when it is sprayed and pumped into the water by union members in boats.
But after a few minutes it has a chemical reaction and turns green, delivering the magnificent spectacle that sees the entire river in the city turn our national colour.
The dye will be dropped at 10am tomorrow to coincide with the official parade which gets underway just after noon.
Meanwhile An Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is making its m a r k this year.
Its events include senior-level trade meetings, online marketing campaigns, retail and restaurant promotions, in-store tastings, cookery demonstrations and on-theground Irish food festivals.
Highlights of events this year across priority European and international markets include Irish produce being showcased to over 50,000 people in the UK at the Lord Mayor of London’s official St Patrick’s Day event at Trafalgar Square.
In Japan there is a gathering of 30 premium chefs in Tokyo, who will adapt local Japanese dishes to include Irish beef and lamb.
And, 25 high-end chefs will serve Irish beef in their restaurants in Milan as part of A Taste of Ireland promotion week in Italy.
In China, Irish whiskey will be promoted to over 750 trade guests at the China Drinks Awards in Shanghai which recognises the achievements made by nightlife and beverage industry across Asia.
Meanwhile, in Lagos in Nigeria, the Spirit of Ireland cocktail
week will start and in partnership with 10 premium restaurants and bars, unique cocktails using Irish drinks will be available.
In France, Bord Bia is promoting Irish meat and seafood, with almost
1,500 stores set to receive a Bord Bia St Patrick’s Day sales kit.
Minister Roderic O’gorman’s is in Japan and he will conduct a programme of events in Osaka, including the design and construction launch for the Irish Pavilion at Expo 2025.
It’s expected that Expo 2025 will provide Ireland with an opportunity to deepen our bilateral relationship and to build on the common interests
set out in the 2022 Joint Statement between Ireland and Japan.
Ireland’s participation at Expo follows a Team Ireland approach, with participation across Government Departments and Agencies.
The Office of Public Works has designed the Irish Pavilion, which will be cladded with sustainable Irish timber provided by Coillte.
Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, is the line minister in charge of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the globe.
He said: “St Patrick’s Day is an important moment for us to celebrate our people and the contribution that they make, both at home and around the world.
“Over the coming week, we will highlight the achievements of a new generation of Irish, in culture and creativity, innovation, business, academia, volunteerism, peacebuilding and public service, as symbols of Ireland’s rapidly changing and expanding role in the world.”