With Easter arriving late this year and beach holidays still a distant glimmer on the outlook calendar, spring-time cheer may be in short supply in your office. If you’re struggling with the trauma of end-of-year reports and performance appraisals, take a five minute break to sit back and enjoy the frothy fun of St Patrick’s Day, the UK’s best-loved festival and a growing global green phenomenon.
Miguel Mendez St Patrick’s Day Parade
As the epicentre of St Patrick’s Day shenanigans, over 250,000 revellers flock to Dublin every year to soak up four days of floor-spinning ceilis, eye-popping parades and non-stop, sizzling street performances. As part of a three-year “past, present, future” theme, the 2014 parade kicked off with a celebration of Ireland’s colourful past.
William Murphy St Patrick’s Day Parade
William Murphy St Patrick’s Day Parade
William Murphy St Patrick’s Day Parade
Spreading the spirit of Saint Patrick to the four corners of the globe, over 120 iconic sites went “green” in honour of the festivities. Now in its fifth year, the 2014 highlights included the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza and London’s very own Abbey Road. Taking the world by storm, even the sign to Las Vegas and Richard Branson’s beard bore traces of a green tinge.
Media Tourism Ireland Las Vegas sign
Media Tourism Ireland Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Media Tourism Ireland Great Wall of China
Matt Crossick / PA Wire Abbey Road
As the perfect antidote to end-of-financial-year angst, why not inspire some green-eyed envy among colleagues next year with a St Patrick’s Day short break to Dublin – guaranteed to sham-rock you back to the office on a craic-high.
What festival do you currently have on your wish list?