PHOTOS – Check it out the world’s iconic tourist spots “go green” for St. Patrick’s Day
Tourism chiefs want Buckingham Palace to go green on St Patrick’s Day – as they wait to unveil Kate Middleton’s Irish links.
Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland boss, has revealed to the Irish Independent that a formal request to turn the palace green for the day has been sent to the Queen.
Gibbons confirmed that he wrote to the Queen’s private secretary some months ago proposing the idea but as of yet has received no reply.
He also told the paper how the agency is currently studying an intriguing genealogy file that proves a strong Irish connection in Kate Middleton’s family tree.
The tourism body will reveal the link at a later date but Gibbons gave little away at a Dublin press conference, only saying that this connection was not an ancestor but a relation. He added: “It is a very interesting story.”
Famous worldwide landmarks are already signed up to go green on St Patrick’s Day in the ‘little emerald book’ campaign of Tourism Ireland.
The Sphinx and the pyramids will be ‘wearing the green’ according to the report .
Also signed up are the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Welcome sign in Las Vegas, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and Bayern Munich’s stadium.
Old favourites like Niagara Falls, Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building in New York and Table Mountain in South Africa will again be flooded with green filter lights to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar told the press conference that the greening was probably ‘the most cost-effective’ thing done by tourism agencies, at a total cost of just $50,000 worldwide.
The Minister said: “That is really good value when you think about it.”
PHOTOS – Check it out the world’s iconic tourist spots “go green” for St. Patrick’s Day
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.paddyRanger | Feb 20, 2013, 01:52 AM EST
And you would lose, Loser
seanomelb | Feb 19, 2013, 05:56 PM EST
I bet I have achieved more than you mad Paddy
paddyRanger | Feb 19, 2013, 01:06 PM EST
You can't say anything for me, because YOU know nothing about me, ye failed waster
seanomelb | Feb 18, 2013, 06:50 PM EST
still 100% Irish me boy more than I can say for you
paddyRanger | Feb 17, 2013, 09:11 PM EST
"painting it green will only satisfy the plstic paddys no one gives a tos".............coming from a waster who had to move to Oz..........Plastic Aussie !
seanomelb | Feb 17, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
painting it green will only satisfy the plstic paddys no one gives a toss
AmericanReader | Feb 16, 2013, 07:31 PM EST
Dream on!! Not going to happen!
AmericanReader | Feb 16, 2013, 07:20 PM EST
Dream on!! Not going to happen.
Thomas84 | Feb 16, 2013, 04:00 PM EST
Who cares what colour they paint it ... maybe they can paint the names of all the people they killed on bloody sunday on it and while they are at it , let them paint the name of the butcher who commited it and detail his swift promotion for a job well done. Not all of us are so willing to sell out our country or our people for a pat on the head by the british.
Thomas84 | Feb 16, 2013, 04:00 PM EST
Who cares what colour they paint it ... maybe they can paint the names of all the people they killed on bloody sunday on it and while they are at it , let them paint the name of the butcher who commited it and detail his swift promotion for a job well done. Not all of us are so willing to sell out our country or our people for a pat on the head by the british.
Smyrnian | Feb 16, 2013, 07:05 AM EST
God had input. Really? Defender of what faith? England is part of Great Britain, Towngate. You appear to not know this. Hit the books. You must have been missing in class the day that one came up!
Towngate | Feb 15, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
FOR INFO ONLY: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith." ........ NO MENTION of 'England' in her title at all, so no excuse for your ignorance on the matter.
seanomelb | Feb 15, 2013, 06:41 PM EST
Press submit button wait a few seconds press refresh
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 05:31 PM EST
Will somebody in Irish Central’s IT Dept please sort out the problem hidden under the ‘Submit’ button? Some of us know how to get around it (Hit the ‘Submit’ button ONCE, AND ONCE ONLY; wait a few seconds (or hold your breath for 365 silly seconds), then hit ‘Return to article’ and then hit “See all comments” and yr post will be seen posted) but, beeeee-jaysus, there’s an awful lot of people who don’t.... Including me, forgetting me own advice. Apologies to everyone on that.
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 03:07 PM EST
Pardon me omitting (below) that the Red Cross of St. Patrick (diagonal red lines, not the St. George vertical and horizontal red lines) should appear on the White lighting up of the middle portion of BuckPal in my compromise solution.
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 03:07 PM EST
Pardon me omitting (below) that the Red Cross of St. Patrick (diagonal red lines, not the St. George vertical and horizontal red lines) should appear on the White lighting up of the middle portion of BuckPal in my compromise solution.
jacersagain | Feb 15, 2013, 02:54 PM EST
If they light up Buck Palace in Green, I’ll drown the green Dear Little Shamrock all day of St. Patrick’s Day in me pints of black. Someone suggested lighting up the entire frontage of BuckPal in Orange, one of the other colours of the Irish national flag, instead... hmmm, not a bad idea. As a compromise, how about Green on the left of the Palace frontage, White (the main colour of England’s flag) in the middle where the famous balcony is and Orange on the right frontage? Methinks no one will be offended by this mixture and therein may lay the right compromise…!
ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:26 AM EST
Towngate: SHe is the Queen of the England? What is the problem? Even the expression used over here used to descrive somebody as being too self important says "who does she think she is, the Queen of England. Do you really expect people to say who does she think she is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and northern Ireland?
ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:26 AM EST
Towngate: SHe is the Queen of the England? What is the problem? Even the expression used over here used to descrive somebody as being too self important says "who does she think she is, the Queen of England. Do you really expect people to say who does she think she is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and northern Ireland?
ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:26 AM EST
Towngate: SHe is the Queen of the England? What is the problem? Even the expression used over here used to descrive somebody as being too self important says "who does she think she is, the Queen of England. Do you really expect people to say who does she think she is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and northern Ireland?
ancavker | Feb 15, 2013, 08:21 AM EST
STEVEN: Is that you Manchester United and Coronation culture? Lots of Mc D's and KFC's in Ireland too!
aloistmartin | Feb 14, 2013, 10:20 PM EST
Black and Green for Belfast City Hall would be Spiff ~
TomSwinford | Feb 14, 2013, 09:36 PM EST
We do tend to get carried away here in the U.S. with all this green nonsense on St. Patrick's Day - to the point that it's meaningless. If Buckingham Palace turned green that would be powerfully symbolic and further evidence - if indeed further evidence is needed - that Ireland and Britain both realize how important they are to each other, especially in light of Ireland's broken love affair with the EU. After the U.S. Britain is Ireland's most important export market. Conversly, Ireland is Britain's 5th largest export partner - larger than the so-called BRIC countries combined (Brasil, Russia, India and China). To read many of the posts on IC one might think that we are still bitter enemies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both countries have moved on - and, as David McWilliams, probably Ireland's best known economist recently said, "... we are great friends as well as great partners."
TomSwinford | Feb 14, 2013, 09:36 PM EST
We do tend to get carried away here in the U.S. with all this green nonsense on St. Patrick's Day - to the point that it's meaningless. If Buckingham Palace turned green that would be powerfully symbolic and further evidence - if indeed further evidence is needed - that Ireland and Britain both realize how important they are to each other, especially in light of Ireland's broken love affair with the EU. After the U.S. Britain is Ireland's most important export market. Conversly, Ireland is Britain's 5th largest export partner - larger than the so-called BRIC countries combined (Brasil, Russia, India and China). To read many of the posts on IC one might think that we are still bitter enemies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both countries have moved on - and, as David McWilliams, probably Ireland's best known economist recently said, "... we are great friends as well as great partners."
gobdawpaddy | Feb 14, 2013, 07:49 PM EST
I don't believe there is any hope of it happening, but should it transpire it would be an incredible coup. Stevenstar's 12.14 EST rant suggests that Gabriel Byrne was correct regarding The Gathering being a shakedown, that Irish America is only good for it's USD. If Irish America's celebration of St Patrick's Day etc. is so offensive, why does he visit this site, a forum established to bring Irish related news and facilitate discussion on such, to Irish Americans??
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 06:02 PM EST
Nothing wrong with Finglas stupid
STEVENSTAR | Feb 14, 2013, 05:26 PM EST
@@@Ken from Dublin | Feb 14, 2013, 03:20 PM EST Buckingham Palace will turn green before the Brits ever agree to do that. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>KEN ARE YOU FROM TALLAGHT OR DARNDALE OR FINGLAS PERHAPS?? .. CAUSE THA SEEMS TO ME AS A REAL OULD WORKING CLASS OULD CHIP ON THE SHOULDER OLD MANS COMMENT TO MAKE >>>>> SORRY BUT IM A VERY PERCEPTIVE PERSON ..AM I RIGHT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,OTHERWISE YOUR AN AMERICAN PRETENDING TO BE IRISH ONE OR THE OTHER !!!
STEVENSTAR | Feb 14, 2013, 05:23 PM EST
@@@@pilib04 | Feb 14, 2013, 01:58 PM EST STEVENSTAR, what part of Pennsylvania did you say you were from?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CAN I BE HONEST AND SAY I DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE PYNSELVALIA IS MATE SORRY ... I HAVE BEEN TO ILLINOIS ONCE I REMEMBER IT WAS NOTHING BUT SNOW... MILES UPON MILES OF CORN FIELDS AND PLASTIC MAC DONALDS, KFC AND WENDYS SIGNS EVERYWHERE ..............YES I MOST CERTAINLY WAS DELIGHTED TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN, GREEN FIELDS, NICE SCENERY AND BEACHES ETC ... SHUR ITS NO WONDER WHY SO MANY OF YE WANT TO HI-JACK MY CULTURE AND PRETEND TO BE IRISH .... HAHA !!!!
STEVENSTAR | Feb 14, 2013, 05:20 PM EST
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 05:06 PM EST >>>>>>>>>>>>YOUR SOME TULIP MATE!!! HAHA
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 05:06 PM EST
Who cares our national rembrance day is easter monday,lest we forget.
MegK311 | Feb 14, 2013, 04:17 PM EST
They would not have to paint the Palace green they would just havt to use flood lighting.
Ron | Feb 14, 2013, 02:56 PM EST
Painting Buck House green for St Paddy's? I can just hear the Queen saying 'Them cheeky feckin' Paddies...we gave them independence, now look at them expecting total kowtowing. Tell them, 'no surrender'!
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 02:10 PM EST
Pilib - He is obviously from Pitts burgh. :)
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 02:08 PM EST
And all the foreigners running around Dublin doing the same thing; what about them, Stevenstar?
pilib04 | Feb 14, 2013, 01:58 PM EST
STEVENSTAR, what part of Pennsylvania did you say you were from?
STEVENSTAR | Feb 14, 2013, 12:14 PM EST
PERSONALLY SPEAKING AS AN IRISHMAN WHO LIVES HERE IN IRELAND I THINK IT WOULD BE A NICE GESTURE IF SHE DID THAT.. BUT THEN I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE SOME SORT OF SYMBOLISM IN DUBLIN TO CELEBRATE THEIR ST GEORGES DAY... AS A MATTER OF FACT ID MUCH RATHER SEE A GREEN BUCKINGHAM PALACE WHICH WOULD BE A RATHER MORE CLASSIER AFFAIR THEN WHEN WE IRISH ARE SUJECTED TO ON THE 6 O CLOCK NEWS OF THE AMERICAN ST PATRICKS DAY CELEBRATIONS WHICH IN MY OWN IRISH OPINON ARE RATHER VERY TACKY WITH GREEN RIVERS AND KISS ME IM IRISH HATS AND AMERICANS GOING ROUND WITH FALSE IRISH ACCENTS.. AS I SAY THAT JUST MY OPINION AND IM ENTITLED TO IT... BUT IM SURE A FRENCH PERSON OR A SPANISH OR A GERMAN PERSON MAY UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS THEIR CULTURE BEEN 'HI-JACKED' BUTAS ITS US IRISH ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT SEEM TO BE SUBJESTED TO ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE.. SO HEY I HOPE THEY DO TURN THE PALACE GREEN THIS YEAR..
dickmac | Feb 14, 2013, 11:44 AM EST
Oh Yes ! A little bit of trivia ! St. Patrick was born in Scotland or Wales not Ireland. So he is a local boy ! Also the flag of Great Britain has 3 crosses in it and one of them is to honour St. Patrick. Born Maywin Succat
maryosullivan | Feb 14, 2013, 11:21 AM EST
Haven't they heard about perfume on a pig/??? It does not work Haven't they heard about perfume on a PIG? fm
Eireannach | Feb 14, 2013, 11:05 AM EST
Mad!
Portia_O'Neill | Feb 14, 2013, 11:00 AM EST
The queen should wear a pair of metallic green pumps to go that green dress and hat she's wearing in the pic. The white purse has to go. :-)
Towngate | Feb 14, 2013, 09:00 AM EST
Tourism Ireland whas done a gret job of persuading keepers of famous landmarks to bathe them in green light. They clain a 'tourism return ' of €5 million for an outlay of only €35 thousand. Why can't they run the country like that!? ~~~ No hope of Buckingham Palace,though, if only because IrishCentral continues to insult Her Majesty by referring to her ignorantly as the "Queen of England". However she might agree id the clowns in Dublin agree to bathe the GPO and The 'Aras' in Red,White and Blue on the 23 April for Shakespeares Birthday and St Georges Day. That seems fair enough. Oh, and while ther're at it, they might as well offer the poor country back, now they've made such a holy mess of it!