Can you imagine getting off the plane today, 16th March visiting Ireland for the first time. It’s the eve of St.Patrick’s Day, the iconic Irish festival and I wonder what are your expectations?
You have heard all about it, you have seen some footage on the TV, you know about the Irish dignitaries visiting foreign lands pressing the flesh and exchanging gifts of the shamrock. You know about the Irish celebrations all over the world on this special day where the Irish (and so many who would love to be Irish!) celebrate their Irishness. You have heard about Ireland, the friendly, beautiful country that is famous for the warm welcome, the craic and of course the pubs with that iconic drink, Guinness.
You must be excited..
I’ve just parked the car, grabbed a coffee and walked to the office and I’ve tried to put myself in the shoes of this visitor – what do they see, what do they experience, what are they thinking?
Except for the window of the Tourist Office you really wouldn’t even know that there was a festival. That poor tourist must be a little confused!
I haven’t come to town to see the parade for donkey’s years (even though I do hear its got a lot better) and I haven’t considered it either this year either despite our office being on the route with a perfect view. Outside of the parade is there anything else that would bring me to town to celebrate my Irishness? I know there are some activities planned around the city for the weekend but the occasion just hasn’t crept inside my skin, it doesn’t connect with me.
Twice a year in Siena (start and end of the summer) in Tuscany there is a festival called the Palio of ‘Palio di Siena‘ which is basically a local festival that runs for a week each time that culminates in a bare back horse race in the Piazzo del Campo at the centre of the town.
Every man, woman and child comes out and celebrates. They sing, they parade behind their horses and at night they eat and drink together.
We have been there about six times as I am totally seduced by this special feeling of being connected and part of a community spirit, a coming together.
Everytime I go there I wish and long for something in Ireland that can bring out the same spirit and feeling of community, pride and connectedness – St.Patrick’s Day should be that day but for some reason it falls short.
St.Patrick’s Day is one of our greatest assets and it should be the most special day in all of our calendars. Every man, woman and child, let’s celebrate together!
How can we make that happen?
Tags: Cork, Design, Dublin, Fuzion Communications, Greg Canty, Marketing, Palio di Siena, PR, St.Patricks Day
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
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