Galway goes green for St. Patrick’s Day

By: Kiani Hildebrandt

Popular landmarks including the Salthill Promenade and the Galway Hooker Manuela are going green to celebrate Galway’s second St Patrick’s Day in lockdown.

Athenry Castle, the Manuela, and an art installation, by architect Daniel Browne and artist John Ruffley, are all several examples of how people have adapted for this year’s festivities. 

The art installation can be found where the Mirror Pavilion stood. During the day it looked like a group of poles but by night the green lights started to dance and reflect against the river.  

To bring the celebrations to life across the world, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has teamed up with Fálite Ireland and the St. Patrick’s Festival organization to create “Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland!” 

This theme represents how they wanted, “everyone to throw off the long dark months and rise to embrace the brighter days ahead.”  

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin said: “This year, given the situation regarding Covid-19, the delivery of the 2021 Festival programme requires a very different approach involving a mix of outdoor, broadcast, digital, and tech events and activities.”  

Minister of State for Public Works Patrick O’Donovan said: “My office is delighted to participate once again in this very important national and international initiative which celebrates our unique cultural heritage and shines a light on Ireland.”  

“I would encourage all to participate in the St. Patrick’s Festival events and to celebrate what we, as a nation, have to offer as represented by our world-renowned Heritage sites and State buildings.” 

The “greening” of the various 40 national landmarks and State buildings is taking place all over the country including Dublin, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Kerry, and other counties.  

 This year marks the 12^th year of celebrating St Patrick’s Day through the Global Greening initiative. This global celebration includes cities like Sydney, Rome, London, Las Vegas, and others.  

The “greening” was another way to honor the Irish diaspora and culture throughout the world.