Country gives itself the green light to forget the recessionary blues

The emerald illuminations that transformed world landmarks over the St Patrick’s weekend weren’t the only kind of green light in evidence as the occasion gave the country the go-ahead to forget current crises and get the craic back for a while.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to cheer on parades big and small in every county, while the bank holiday had the effect of turning the normal one-day frenzy into a more leisurely three-day festival.

And while the weather was a customary mix of sunshine, showers, hail, wind, calm and deluge, organisers and tourism promoters across the country declared themselves delighted with the sheer amount of activity that proceeded without interruption and the huge numbers who turned out to enjoy them.