The homes of gladiators and country music are among the landmarks joining the global celebrations for St Patrick’s Day this year.

Major winner Graeme McDowell has revealed how he used the spectacular setting of a 200m-high Dubai helipad to go down on one knee and pop the question to stunning girlfriend Kristin Stape.

Millions of revellers are preparing to celebrate St Patrick's Day at home and abroad.

The mothballing of under-performing hotels has to be a last resort and instead efforts should be focused on increasing the numbers of tourists into Ireland.