Sir, – It is exciting to learn (Home News, February 21st) that due again to the efforts of Tourism Ireland, world famous landmarks such as, the London Eye, Table Mountain, the Empire State Building, and the TV Tower in Berlin – and now for the first time, Niagara Falls – are to be “turned green” in honour of St Patrick’s Day. This is a unique and generous tribute to our country. Perhaps then, the Government might call on all the people of Ireland – every man, woman and child – to respond by reviving the apparently waning tradition of wearing with pride the shamrock on March 17th. Better still, if the request were endorsed by President Higgins. It might even be considered that, rather on the style of the British poppy, an artificial “buttonhole” shamrock be produced (possibly for sale by a selected group of Irish charities).
Our national emblem could then be worn for a week or so leading up to St Patrick’s Day, and throughout the festival. – Yours, etc,