St Patrick's Day takes place each year on March 17, the traditional religious feast day of Saint Patrick. What began as a religious feast day in the 17th century has evolved into a variety of festivals across the globe celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing and a whole lot of green.

"Throughout the whole world, from the Empire State Building in New York, Trafalgar Square in London, the Sydney Opera House and Yokohama Marine Tower, St Patrick's Day has risen to become a globally celebrated festival, laying a foundation for Tourism Ireland to promote tourism on the global stage. We pay a great deal of attention to the emerging tourist market, including China and India," Gibbons said.