Day of celebration around the globe

THE Irish have always been a nation of emigrants, but if there is one day of the year when our global popularity reaches a new crescendo, it’s St Patrick’s Day.

Millions of people from the Caribbean to Asia took part in parades. There were parties in New York, Sydney, Singapore and other international cities, while celebrations were held early in London, with 4,000 people marching in the city last Sunday.

In the US, many of the 34 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry took part in, or cheered-on, high-profile parades. This year’s New York parade was dedicated to the Fighting 69th, the 69th New York National Guard, a portion of whom have just returned from active service in Iraq.