Landmarks light up in green across the world as parade preparations underway
Ottoline Spearman
Preparations for St Patrick's Day are underway, with events planned across the globe, and landmarks lighting up in green to celebrate the national day.
From Canada to New Zealand, sites lighting up this year include the CN Tower in Canada, the Sky Tower in Auckland and Niagara Falls.
Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “St Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity for tourism to Ireland.
"Around 10 per cent of jobs on the island of Ireland are supported by tourism and hospitality, and 6 out of 10 of those jobs depend on overseas visitors.
"Our message is that, while the world goes green for one day, the invitation to explore Ireland lasts all year round.”
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Empire State Building in New York and the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid are among the other monuments that will be turning green.
There are also two unusual additions this year – Jelling Stones, two Viking Age rune stones from the 10th-century in Denmark, and the Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck, Austria.
Tourism Ireland is also inviting international media to Ireland to stream, broadcast and share reasons to come to the island during St Patrick’s Week.
These messages are expected to reach an audience of around 350 million via 2,500 pieces of coverage.
St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin
In Dublin, the St Patrick's Day parade is expected to draw large crowds to the capital.
Starting at 12 midday at Parnell Square North, the procession will travel down O’Connell Street, over O’Connell Bridge, and through the south side of the city.
The parade will finish at the Cuffe Street / Kevin Street junction.
There will be a large gardaí presence across the city, with over 1000 gardaí on duty, with rolling road closures and traffic restrictions in place from the early morning.
Gardaí are warning all drivers that parking along the parade route is not allowed, and any cars will be towed.
All traffic will be diverted through the North and South Circular Roads for the duration of the parade.
There will also be a voluntary restriction on off-licence sale of alcohol in the city centre until after 4pm.
For those attending the parade, An Garda Síochána are advising people to arrive early and plan the journey into the city ahead of time, and use public transport or Park and Ride facilities where possible.
