Here are a lucky seven ways to celebrate Ireland's famous day - St Patrick's Day.

The world goes green!!

In a major coup for Irish tourism, an ancient wonder of the world - the Pyramids of Giza - and a modern wonder of the world - the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil are set to go green for the first time ever on St Patrick's Day 2013, joining a host of other major landmarks and iconic sites around the world in Tourism Ireland's annual 'global greening' initiative.

Other newcomers going green for the first time include the famous 'Welcome' sign in Las Vegas, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, HMS Belfast in London, City Hall in Houston, Texas, the Citadel in Jordan, the International School in Bonn and the Allianz Arena in Munich (home ground of FC Bayern Munich).

The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in Egypt will also go green. Once again this year, the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai will go green, as will South Africa's Table Mountain - a World Heritage Site and one of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks and visitor attractions.

In North America, the world-famous 'Welcome' sign in Las Vegas and City Hall in Houston, Texas, will go green for the first time ever - joining other major landmarks like Niagara Falls (on both the Canadian and the US sides), the Empire State Building in New York, the Chicago and San Antonio Rivers, the famous White House fountains, as well as San Francisco's Coit Tower, City Hall and Ferry Building Marketplace.

'Down under', the Sydney Opera House and Auckland's Sky Tower are also planning to go green again, in honour of St Patrick's Day 2013.

More details....

St Pat's day in Italy

If you happen to be in Italy for St. Patrick's Day there are two cities where you should be or go: Rome and Pisa.

Pisa will feature a very special event on March 17. It has been chosen by Tourism Ireland as one of the iconic international landmarks of the global greening initiative. For St. Patrick's Day, then, the leaning Tower will turn green!

Rome is the place where the first Irish pub opened up in Italy. In 1976 the Fiddler's Elbow opened and it will celebrate St Patrick's Day  with a live Irish music concert..

Other Rome pubs and bars, The Druid's Rock, The Elliot Pub, zerosettantacinque, Rising Love and Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi will celebrate Irish culture.

Become part of 'The Gathering'

This year, 2013, marks the beginning of 'The Gathering', Ireland's year-long celebration of culture and tradition with very special St Patrick's Day parades and events.

Enjoy this video of The Gathering from Tourism Ireland.........

Star in your own period drama

Ballyfin, considered to be Ireland's most lavish Regency mansion and recently restored to a luxury five-star hotel, is a step beyond the norm. In fact it's a step back in time, as guests are encouraged to delve into the hotel's collection of period costumes and create their own Downton Abbey experience.

The Ballyfin 'dressing up box' is a spacious Costume Room containing 40 individual costumes previously worn in performances staged by one of the world's greatest opera companies, the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

All can be counted upon for their period authenticity, quality and opulence.

Among the sartorial delights are empire line dresses with matching bonnets and fans for the ladies, and, for the gentlemen, tricorn hats with frock coats and breeches, or military regalia with ceremonial dress.

Originally built in the 1820s, its recent eight-year restoration has seen it emerge as a gloriously luxurious and exclusive hotel, perfect for those who want only the best.

Outside, stone walls enclose 600 acres of parkland, a lake and ancient woods, delightful garden buildings, follies and grottoes, making the exterior surrounding as breathtaking as the interior.

Ballyfin is located in County Laois in the Irish midlands and its central location halfway between Dublin and Shannon - makes it an ideal stopping point for travellers heading either way.

Time to start planning....

On yer bikes!

Often called 'Ireland in miniature', the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal boasts challenging cycle routes that promise to deliver a real sense of Ireland at the same time as an exhilarating cycling holiday.

Inishowen is the largest peninsula on the island of Ireland and is crammed with fascinating historical landmarks and stunning vistas.

Along the way cyclists have the chance to see the remarkable Irish National Monument, Grianan Aileach, a ringfort built on an ancient site at the top of Grianan Hill.

As well as a top quality cycling experience, the Cycle Inishowen packages deliver an authentic Donegal experience, with time to sample fine local food, enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music in a lively pub, explore the history of the region and even take in a round of golf.  

Start planning.....

Golfing on the greens

Ladies and gentlemen golfers looking for a true golfing test on the famous Northern Irish links courses under competition conditions should tee up for the Coast of Down Links Challenge (24-26 April).

Run on three of Northern Ireland's finest links courses, including the championship course at the world-famous Royal County Down Golf Club, the event is the perfect break for amateur golfers with a competitive spirit.

Open to all male and female golfers who are members of an affiliated club and who hold an official handicap, play is over 54 holes in three days. All competitors will play 18 holes on days one and two at Kirkistown Castle and Ardglass golf clubs on the rugged County Down coast.

Irish links courses have shaped the current crop of Irish professional superstars including McIlroy, Padriag Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke, while Ireland's courses are considered to be among the toughest tests in the game.

Golf also plays a big part of The Gathering 2013. The Gathering Golf Classic will take place on 14-18 July, while the World Invitational Father and Son Golf Tournament runs from 7-11 August.

Pack your clubs...

Take a hike in Wicklow

The 127km trail stretching from the southern suburbs of Ireland's capital, Dublin, through the mountains of County Wicklow and into neighbouring County Carlow, is one of the most popular parts of Ireland's network of long-distance walking trails.

Helping to make the Wicklow Way experience easy (apart from the actual leg work) is Wilderness Tours, a small company offering  supported three, five, or for the really adventurous, seven  days self-guided walking tours of the Wicklow Way.

Wilderness Tours organises tours starting at the outskirts of Dublin the tours take walkers south-west through the beautiful and varied Irish countryside encompassing rugged mountains, ice-age glacial valleys, upland lakes, mountain streams and pine forests.

Along the way are scattered many remnants of Ireland's long and colourful past including the extensive remains of the early medieval monastic settlement at Glendalough.

Find out more....