TOURISM Ireland’s Global Greening initiative has taken off across the world, with a record-breaking 690 iconic landmarks and sites in 66 different countries lighting up green.
Derry City and Strabane District Council joined the initiatie with the greening of the Guildhall Clock, City of Derry Airport and other landmark buildings.
Tourism Ireland’s annual Global Greening initiative has gone from strength to strength – from its beginning back in 2010, when just the Sydney Opera House and the Sky Tower in Auckland went green, to this year, which will be the biggest ever Global Greening.
From Rome to Rio and from London to Las Vegas, a host of famous buildings and sites around the world will be illuminated in green to mark St Patrick’s Day – including 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.
The Sydney Opera House joins Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening once again this year, to mark St Patrick’s Day.
In rolling out its Global Greening, Tourism Ireland aims to bring some positivity and hope to the 70+ million people around the world who claim links to the island of Ireland.
At a time when people living overseas cannot travel home, Tourism Ireland wants 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.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “This year marks the 12th year of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative and it’s the biggest ever, with some wonderful new additions like The Palm Fountain in Dubai – the largest fountain in the world.
“Other new sites include the village of Portmeirion in North Wales and Bled Castle in Slovenia.
The Guildhall Clock turns green for St Patrick’s Day
“This year, in particular, we aim to 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.
“At a time when people living 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.
City of Derry Airport goes green for St Patrick’s Day
“During this challenging time, we want to mark St Patrick’s Day and to keep Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland to the fore in a positive light.”
