DUBLIN, Mar 17: As millions of green-clad revellers raise their glasses across the globe to mark St Patrick’s Day today, Ireland has high hopes that the festivities will bring a much-needed boost to the economy at home.
“It is probably one of the biggest global days around the world, when the Irish tribe showcases all things Irish,” Tourism Ireland chief Niall Gibbons told AFP.
“If you’re the president of any corporation and you were offered a chance where cities and world leaders stop and hold civic receptions and celebrate your product — you just wouldn’t be able to put a value on it. It’s priceless.”
Political and tourism chiefs see the weekend-long cultural festival as a chance to repair some of the damage the eurozone crisis has done to Ireland’s international reputation.
From Egypt’s pyramids to the Sydney Opera House, some 70 global landmarks will be bathed in green light in honour of Ireland’s national day — while in Dublin itself, more than half a million people were expected to line the streets for Sunday’s colourful annual parade.
With marching bands, dancing troupes and, of course, copious quantities of Guinness flowing, officials hope the crowds will spend heavily in Dublin’s pubs, shops, hotels and restaurants as they “paint the city green”.
Dublin’s Chamber of Commerce hopes the weekend will give city businesses a USD 65 million boost.
Guinness is one company set to do well out of St Patrick’s Day — the Dublin-based brewer expects 13 million glasses of its stout, affectionately known as “the black stuff”, to be drunk across the world today alone. (AGENCIES)
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