SOME 278 ICONIC landmarks and sites in 44 countries are turning green for St Patrick’s Day – the biggest number to date.

Global Greening first began in 2010 in Sydney and Auckland and has gone from strength to strength each year since then.

World famous sites such as the London Eye, Niagara Falls and the Colosseum will be joined by some more unusual newcomers.

Among them are Australia’s famous ‘Big Things’ including the The Big Merino in New South Wales.

The Big Merino in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland

The Disneyland castle in Shanghai is another newcomer this year.

Disneyland castle in Shanghai, China Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland

CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons said, “St Patrick’s Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us; our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of people around the world and to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage.

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy.

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland

The Great Wall of China Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland

Niagara Falls Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland

“Our St Patrick’s programme spans Great Britain, Mainland Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, as well as emerging tourism markets like China, Brazil and the Middle East.

The Kelpies in Falkirk, Scotland Sandy Young Sandy Young

Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day, which is on Friday 17th March. Scott Heppell Scott Heppell

Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester is lit green by Tourism Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day, which is on Friday 17th March Anthony Devlin Anthony Devlin

Gibbons added, “We are using every opportunity to capitalise on Ireland’s heightened profile this week; the saturation coverage about Ireland across the global airwaves, in newspapers and digital media, is an invaluable boost for our overall 2017 tourism promotional drive.”

Here’s some images of the shades of green closer to home:

Government Buildings in Dublin are illuminated in green for the four-day-long St Patrick's festival. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Trinity College in Dublin goes green. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

Christ church cathedral in Dublin is illuminated in green for the four-day-long St Patrick's festival. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Well known chipper Leo Burdock is illuminated in green for the four-day-long St Patrick's festival. PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Read:  It’s St Patrick’s Day – keep up to date with what’s happening at home and abroad>