Dublin--Hundreds of thousands of green-clad revellers partied in Dublin for St Patrick's Day on Tuesday, even as Prime Minister Enda Kenny rejected Irish stereotypes after a video message from Australia's Tony Abbott.
Following comments by the Australian prime minister about Irish drinking and singing, there was plenty of music in the streets of Dublin for the annual parade to celebrate the Emerald Isle's national day.
"There has been a long-term view of a stage Irish perception. I reject that," Kenny was quoted by the Irish Times as saying during a visit to Washington.
"I've heard the prime minister's comments. He made them. I don't agree with that."
Abbott had thanked the Irish for giving Australia "the love of life and good humour" and invited people to "share a Guinness or two and maybe even three".
The celebrations in Dubline were mirrored in dozens of towns and cities in Ireland and across the world.
Marching bands and Irish dancers paraded through Dublin as cheering crowds looked on.
St Patrick's day traditionally kick-starts the Irish tourism season with over 120,000 visitors expected to arrive this week.
"It's worth about 140 million euros ($148 million) to our economy overall," said tourism minister, Paschal Donohoe.
Tourism Ireland's annual 'Global Greening' initiative saw over 150 landmarks from the Colosseum to Niagara Falls lit up green in honour of the holiday.
"We are using every opportunity to capitalise on Ireland's heightened profile this week," said Tourism Ireland's Niall Gibbons.
AFP
