Minister O’Donovan announces ‘Greening’ of Heritage Sites and State Buildings as part of the 2021 National St Patrick’s Festival

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan TD, has announced details of the ‘greening’ of Heritage sites and State buildings for the duration of the 2021 St. Patrick’s Festival.  The greening initiative by the Office of Public Works (OPW) is carried out in association with Fáilte Ireland and the St. Patrick’s Festival Organisation.

The greening initiative has gone from strength to strength with signification notable worldwide landmark buildings being illuminated in green to promote this celebration.  This year the theme of the Festival is ‘Dúisigh Éire! Awaken Ireland!’ which invites everyone to throw off the long dark months and rise to embrace the brighter days ahead.

The OPW will light heritage sites and State buildings for the duration of the festival, from 12 – 17 March 2020, by using green filters, specialist lamps and existing lighting control systems.

Minister of State for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan TD, 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 following are the heritage sites and State buildings that will be transformed for the five-day greening celebration: –

Dublin City/County

52 St. Stephen’s Green, (OPW Dublin Office)

Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park

Casino Marino

Collins Barracks

Custom House

Dublin Castle (Upper & Lower Courtyard)

Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Employment (Kildare St)

Farmleigh Estate – The Water Tower

Four Courts

Government Buildings

Iveagh House, St Stephen’s Green

Kilmainham Courthouse

Kilmainham Gaol- Entrance

Leinster House, Merrion Street

Marlborough Street Complex,

National Concert Hall (NCH)

National Gallery, Merrion Street Entrance

National Library, Kildare Street

National Museum, Kildare Street

Natural History Museum, Merrion Street

Phoenix Monument, Chesterfield Avenue, Phoenix Park

Rathfarnham Castle

Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK) – Clock Tower

St. Stephen’s Green – Entrance (Shelbourne Hotel Side)

Co. Clare

Ennis Court House, Ennis,

Ennis Friary, Ennis

Quin Abbey, Quin

Co. Cork

Doneraile Court, Doneraile

Co. Donegal

Donegal Castle, Donegal Town

Co. Galway

Athenry Castle, Athenry

Co. Kerry

Ross Castle, Killarney

Co. Kildare

Castletown House, Celbridge

Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny

Co. Limerick

Askeaton Friary

Desmond Castle, Adare

Desmond Castle, Newcastlewest

Co. Meath

Trim Castle, Trim

Co. Roscommon

Boyle Abbey, Boyle

Co. Sligo

Sligo Abbey, Sligo Town

Co. Tipperary

Cahir Castle, Cahir

Rock of Cashel, Cashel