Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Muscat: Millions around the world are commemorating St. Patrick's Day on March 17, Ireland's National holiday.
President Michael D. Higgins of the Republic of Ireland kicked off the festivities, saying, "Wherever you may be, and in whatever circumstances, you are part of Ireland's global family joining with us as we celebrate our shared Irishness, its culture, heritage and history."
He added, "Today is a day when we are asked to reflect on the legacy of St. Patrick, whose life embodied the values of solidarity and shared humanity, reminding us of how much of what is necessary and good can be accomplished by those who think inclusively and act from the best instincts of the heart."
Iconic buildings and monuments around the world as part of the 'Global Greening' initiative to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This year the Burj Khalifa, the Great Wall of China, and Victoria falls have gone green putting them among hundreds of monuments celebrating the event in 2019.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said about the initiative, "This is the 10th year of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative and each year I am delighted to see even more well-known attractions and landmark sites wishing to get involved and join our St Patrick’s celebrations.
"The success of our Global Greening initiative is due in no small part to the great work that has been carried out across the world by Irish people and the Diaspora," he said.
Gibbons added, "The eagerness of cities and countries everywhere to take part underlines the strength of the deep connection that people all over the world feel to Ireland. 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."
According to the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 million people attend St. Patrick's Day parades every year.
