Ireland's efforts to 'green' global sites such as the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pyramids of Giza for our national holiday is in marked contrast to the lacklustre efforts to win recognition for heritage sites in our own country. Tourism Ireland's Global Greening project comes about as a result of much effort and some cost to the State, but it results in a benefit, not limited to direct income, to our country. Despite the similar financial as well as the intangible benefits that would accrue, we have neglected to progress various sites in Ireland to Unesco World Heritage status over the past decade.