Hundreds of iconic monuments across the world go green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
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Hundreds of iconic monuments across the world go green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day

A RECORD-BREAKING 690 iconic landmarks and sites in 66 countries spread across the world have turned green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. 

It’s all part of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative designed to spread a message of hope and positivity to the 70+ million people around the world with links to the island of Ireland 

The annual Global Greening event has gone from strength to strength ever since it began back in 2010 when just the Sydney Opera House and the Sky Tower in Auckland went green. 

This year represents the biggest one yet with famous buildings and sites across everywhere from Rome to Rio and London to Las Vegas illuminated in green to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.  

Some of the most iconic landmarks on the planet marking St Patrick’s Day with this special tribute. 

They include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls, the Sydney Opera House, the ‘Welcome’ sign in Las Vegas, the Sky Tower in Auckland, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco and the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid.  

They are joined by a whole host of newcomers including the Oculus transit hub near the World Trade Center in New York; the village of Portmeirion in North Wales; the largest fountain in the world, The Palm Fountain in Dubai; the tallest building in South America, the Torre Costanera in Chile; Bled Castle in Slovenia; Cairo Tower in Egypt; Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in California; Clérigos Tower in Portugal; Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest; and Villa E-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in France. 

Coming at a time when many Irish people overseas cannot travel home, Tourism Ireland’s initiative is a powerful one, with Neil Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, hopeful it will “bring some positivity and hope to our Diaspora across the globe.” 

“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,” he said. 

“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 roll out the green carpet and welcome them back, as soon as it is possible to do so.” 

Happy St Patrick’s Day!