To mark 10 years of ‘Global Greening’ around the world in the build-up to St Patrick’s Day, Tourism Ireland has published a new book called Ireland’s Greening of the World which tells the story of how the Global Greening initiative has become a marketing success for Ireland Inc by capturing the imaginations of people around the world.
The initiative, which see hundreds of iconic landmarks around the world light up green to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick, first began in Sydney – when the Sydney Opera House went green on March 17 2010. Since then the campaign has gone from strength-to-strength with around 360 sites in 51 different countries set to take part for St Patrick’s 2019.
Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening complements the Government’s Global Ireland strategy, which will see the initiative grow to 600 participating sites, by 2025.
Launching the new book, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening project is a powerful symbol of the impact of our Irish abroad and is an expression of our reach, our shared values and our ambition. The Global Greening project, like our diaspora, stretches across the world, to every continent, going beyond our historical connections into where we can now be found. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Trade, I was proud to support the development of this initiative and I encouraged our public buildings to take part in ‘the greening’. Today, as Taoiseach, I am proud to see that so many places in Ireland and around the world are involved in this project, contributing to its enormous success. Congratulations to everyone that has been associated with this project here at home and around the world.”
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, adds: “It is hard to believe that Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening is 10 years old. To mark the occasion, we have produced a special commemorative book, ‘Ireland’s Greening of the World’. We’re delighted the Taoiseach has agreed to launch it today.
“The success of our Global Greening is due in no small part to the great work that has been carried out across the world by Irish people and the diaspora. In particular, the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish embassy network has been absolutely invaluable in broadening the reach of this project over the years. 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. We will distribute ‘Ireland’s Greening of the World’ through Tourism Ireland’s offices around the world and through the Irish embassy network.”
