Tourism Ireland has revealed the full line-up of places that will light up green for Paddy's Day this year, and it's quite an extensive list.
As has come to be tradition in recent years, many of the world's most famous sites and landmarks will turn green in honour of St Patrick's Day later this year. An initiative organised by Tourism Ireland, Global Greening aims to unite the Irish diaspora around the world - bringing positivity to the 70+ million people around the world with links to our lovely, little island.
First started 11 years ago over in Oz, when the Sydney Opera House was illuminated green on March 17, 2010, the initiative has gone from strength to strength - taking on added significance since the onset of the pandemic at a time when Irish people overseas can't travel home.
Revealing the full line-up of places confirmed to turn green for Paddy's Day this year, so far the list includes spots across Britain, North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe amongst others.
https://twitter.com/TourismIreland/status/1366702484673159168
Not forgetting the initiative's most northerly 'greening' - a postbox located at the summit of Øretoppen Mountain in Norway, 350km above the Arctic Circle. Other new sites partaking for the first time this year range from Gwrych Castle in Wales (the filming location for the most recent series of I'm A Celeb), the world's largest fountain (The Palm Fountain in Dubai) and the Sekenani Gate at the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
Speaking at the launch of this year's event, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland commented:
"2021 marks the 12th year of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative and each year I am delighted to see so many attractions and landmark sites wishing to get involved and mark St Patrick’s Day. More than 70 million people around the world claim links to the island of Ireland and St Patrick’s Day is a truly unique opportunity to reconnect them with their heritage.
"This year, in particular, we aim to bring some positivity and hope to our diaspora across the globe. At a time when Irish people overseas cannot travel home, we want to shine a green light in as many locations around the world as possible, giving our diaspora a sense of connection with home and reminding them that we cannot wait to welcome them back, as soon as it is possible to do so."
You can find the full list of participating world sites and landmarks
here.
Header image via Shutterstock
