Local authorities around the country spent almost €320,000 sending county councillors and officials abroad for St Patrick’s Day with one council accounting for nearly a third of the spending.
Limerick City and County Council spent around €100,000 sending no less than 27 politicians and officials to New York, Savannah, and London for the March 17 celebrations.
Another local authority – Wexford County Council – spent over €45,000 with councillors and staff jetting off to New York, Savannah, and the French city of Dunkirk.
Other councils were far more economical in comparison with just a single representative from Leitrim travelling to New York at a total cost of €1,937.
Galway City Council also kept costs to a minimum taking advantage of a free hotel stay in Seattle for their representatives for a total St Patrick’s Day bill of less than €5,000.