Hi everyone – it’s less than a week until St. Patrick’s Day! I hope you’re all ready to go green for the big day because here at The Irish Store we’re running a competition for the best green outfits with a chance to win $100 dollar gift voucher! Full details on how to enter at the end of the blog.
But it’s not only people that will be donning green for St. Patrick’s Day. 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of Tourism Ireland‘s Global Greening Initiative. Many of the world’s most iconic landmarks will be illuminated in green for the St. Patrick’s Day period putting Ireland in the spotlight on the world stage and connecting the 70 million people who claim Irish heritage from all over the globe.
New sites taking part this year include Madison Square Garden in New York, The National Theatre in London and World’s largest Hockey Stick and Puck on Vancouver Island!
These will join many others who will be going green again for St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s some of my personal favorites.
1.The Empire State Building NYC
So first we’re off to the Big Apple and the iconic Empire State Building. Although St. Patrick’s Day was originally a Catholic holiday and only celebrated in Ireland as a Feast Day, it was Irish immigrants who started the first parade in NYC in the 1700s.
2. Welcome Sign – Las Vegas
Staying stateside, we’re heading west to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. The sign was erected in 1959 by Western Neon and designed by Betty Willis, an employee of the company. In 2013 it was officially added to the National Register of Historic places.
3. Sacre Coeur. Paris, France
Time to head across the Atlantic Ocean now to Europe. First stop Paris and the stunning Sacre Coeur Basilica. Contsruction began on this incredible church in 1895 and was completed in 1914. It commands stunning views of Paris from the top of Montmartre hill. It is the second highest point in the city after the famous Eiffel Tower. Joyeuse St. Patrick!
4. TV Tower, Berlin
Next we’re off to Berlin and the dizzying heights of the TV Tower. Standing at 368 metres, it offers 360 degree views of the city below and beyond. It is also the highest building in Europe open to the public. Glucklicher St.Patrick Tag!
5. Tower of Pisa
Our final stop on our European tour is the magnificent leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Construction began in 1173 and continued for some 200 years due to various wars. It was designed to stand vertically but started to lean during construction. It consists of 207 columns arranged around 8 stories and boasts some 251 steps! St.Felice. Giorno Patricks!
6. Sydney Opera House
Over 2 million citizens identify as having Irish connections in Australia, so before we head home, we must pay a visit to our cousins down under and the majestic Sydney Opera house looking magnificent in green.
And so back to Ireland and Dublin city. Of the many buildings in Ireland that will be going green, I’ll leave you with the iconic GPO in Dublin’s O’Connell Street. It also happens to be directly across from our office here at The Irish Store!
Going Green Competition!
Competition time! We’re celebrating Our St Patrick’s Day Sale Event at The Irish Store by giving you a chance to win one of five $100 gift vouchers! Simply like us on Facebook & share a selfie of you ‘going green’ for St Patrick’s Day for a chance to win.
https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishStore/
Good luck!!
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
