And this is how to do it without upsetting anyone, or how Ireland is taking over Greeningland.
It’s the Irish way, just to smile politely and win over the world through charm and then put your own cultural imprint on it.
Which is exactly how the Irish have been doing it for hundreds of years.
And since 2010 how they’ve been marking St Patrick’s Day through Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative.
With sites lighting up in green for 2026 including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Empire State Building in New York, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower in Canada.
And The National Wallace Monument in Scotland, Heidecksburg Castle in Germany, the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid, La Croisette in Cannes, the Grand Place in Brussels and the Sky Tower in Auckland.
Green for go
Of course, each new year Tourism Ireland persuades more countries to bring new landmarks to the party.
Last year it was the polar bear sculpture in Longyearbyen in Norway.
And one of our favourites The Kelpies, the largest equine statue in the world, in Falkirk.
And this year the Jelling Stones in Denmark and the Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck, Austria.
A bit more about the newbies.
A high old time
The Jelling Stones being two Viking Age rune stones from the 10th-century,
And the Bergisel Ski Jump, well, it does what it says on the tin and has been for 100 years.
So wherever you live have a word and see if the powers that be can add a touch of emerald to their sites.
Which is what they did in the Chicago River to get the party and the water flowing.
And remember that there’s nothing stopping you limin’ and wearing green.
In your own household and with your own party and you don’t have to be Irish or part of the diaspora.
MEET YOU ON THE PADDY’S DAY PARADE
