The River Liffey, which flows through Dublin in Ireland, will be officially dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day 2020. This announcement was confirmed by Tourism Ireland’s Managing Director, Niall Gibbons.
This idea didn’t come about by chance. It is directly inspired by the tradition that has taken place every year in Chicago, USA, since 1962. The American city is home to a large Irish community, and its river, the Chicago River, is traditionally colored green for the famous Irish festival of St. Patrick’s Day.
We’re going to get in touch with Chicago’s “Plumbers’ Union”, which is responsible for coloring the Chicago River, so that they can pass on their know-how for greening the Liffey. said Irish Tourism.
As a reminder, these colorants are temporary, ecological and in no way threaten the natural balance of these aquatic environments. This fluorescent green dye is made from vegetables, and disappears completely within a few hours of contact with water.
Senator Billy Lawless of Chicago was enthusiastic about the idea:
The Plumbers’ Union has been coloring the Chicago River for many years. It’s environmentally friendly. They’d love to help “green” Dublin’s Liffey on St. Patrick’s Day. I think it would be a great tribute to the relationship between Ireland and Chicago. It would also complement Ireland’s plan to “green the world” on St. Patrick’s Day…
As a reminder, since 2010 Irish Tourism has been implementing a vast communication plan designed to “green” the world’s most emblematic monuments on the occasion of Saint Patrick’s Day… That’s why over 400 sites in 50 countries are lighting up their monuments and landmarks in green on March 17. These include the Sacré-Coeur in France, the Empire State Building in New York, the Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil… etc.
It seems that Dublin is planning to go one step further, by turning its own River Liffey a festive green… much to the delight of Irish festival-goers!
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