“What will you do to make Ireland greener this year?”
The Green Party in the Drogheda area is calling on the public to do something green this St Patrick’s Day, by making one small action or change to help their local environment.
“While Ireland will not be holding public celebrations this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, St Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to welcome Spring and celebrate nature and the outdoors” they say.
This year, the Green Party is asking, “what will you do to make Ireland greener this year?”, whether it’s walking or cycling rather than taking the car, planting a tree or bee-friendly flowers in your garden, or picking up litter in your neighbourhood.
Anthony Murphy (Rep for Drogheda Rural) joined the call for green action, commenting on how small actions can make a big impact over time:
“Every St Patrick’s Day, Drogheda dons the Green to celebrate Ireland. This year, even though there is no parade we can all do something to make Drogheda greener. A little can go a long way, and if we all commit to doing one thing, the community as a whole can see huge benefits. This Wednesday, I’ll be Planting some wildflowers, I will be picking up litter in my area and I will be letting the grass grow to encourage and sustain our precious biodiversity”
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the St Patrick’s Festival will be taking place virtually this year with more than 100 events between March 12 – 17, which will be broadcast globally on St Patrick’s Festival TV. The theme of this year’s Festival is Dúisigh Éire, Awaken Ireland, encouraging everyone to throw off the long, dark months and rise to embrace the brighter days ahead.
On announcing the St Patrick’s Festival, Deputy Leader of the Green Party and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, commented on the importance of celebrating our national holiday and looking towards brighter days.
“The St Patrick’s Festival week is a highlight of the calendar for creativity and tourism. This year’s Festival message calls on all Irish, at home and abroad, to cherish our ancient traditions alongside our contemporary culture and celebrate them in safety. It positions Ireland firmly in the mind of the world with a message of hope for brighter days ahead for people here at home while reassuring tourists that, when it is safe for them to do so, they will be welcomed to celebrate with us once more,” Minister Martin said.
These events will be complemented by the Culture Ireland Global Online Programme, Seoda, which will present some of Ireland’s finest artists from March 17 to 21. It is aimed to ensure the Irish arts and culture community reach a worldwide audience at a time when cultural connections, including with the Irish diaspora, are more critical than ever.
