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Prestigious travel guide recommends Ireland as a ‘must visit’ for 2013

Fodor’s list highlights The Gathering as a main reason to visit

ANTOINETTE KELLY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8:08 AM

Updated Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8:08 AM

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The Cliffs of Moher

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The Gathering festival has landed Ireland in the top 25 places to visit on a prestigious list compiled by renowned travel guide Fodors.

The Irish Examiner reports that the latest Fodor’s Guide urges readers to visit Ireland in 2013.
Now in its third year, the well regarded list features rising destinations, hot cities and significant events.

The Gathering homecoming festival has catapulted Ireland onto the list along with England, Marseilles in France and far flung destinations like Easter Island and Burma.

The report says that Fodor’s Travel specifically highlights The Gathering as a reason for travellers to come to Ireland next year.

It says: “Throughout 2013, Ireland will host events, festivals, and reunions in honour of the more than 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish heritage.

“The Gathering welcomes those with Irish roots back to their ancestral homeland to reconnect with the country’s lush landscapes and vibrant cultures.

“Visitors can track their genealogies, explore the villages of their forebears, and mingle with current residents. More than just a celebration for those with Irish blood, The Gathering offers music festivals, pub crawls, and public gatherings in all corners of the country for those who are Irish in spirit as well.”

Tourism Ireland boss Niall Gibbons believes the accolade will boost numbers attending The Gathering.

Gibbons said: “The Gathering will fully capitalise on the opportunity to promote Ireland across the world.

“This accolade couldn’t have come at a better time as we get ready to kick off our year-long celebration of all things Irish, with The Gathering Ireland 2013.

“The high-profile listing in Fodor’s Travel ‘Go List’ of the top 25 places to visit in 2013 provides Tourism Ireland with yet another opportunity to promote Ireland as a ‘must see’ destination in our promotional activities across the world.

“We intend to fully capitalise on the opportunities this accolade presents throughout 2013 and beyond.”

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bobby | Dec 19, 2012, 05:31 PM EST

By the way all the festivals are free events, you will have no extra expense. Most of Dublin museums and galleries are free.

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bobby | Dec 19, 2012, 05:28 PM EST

@oonafitz, go you will have a great time, Ireland is not as expensive today as it was 5 years ago, so many great deals. I went 3 weeks ago, i only live in London a 50 minute flight. I love it in Dublin a great city then i travel onto the south and west of the country. Ireland is one of the best value for money destinations in Europe today. 5 years back it was in the top 5 most expensive. Hey not everyone is Irish in Ireland, but you will still meet many in the cities and towns. It is still one of my favourite countries to visit.

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oonafitz | Dec 19, 2012, 10:40 AM EST

The thought of hords of Americans filling the country is enough to make me stay home. I'm not sure that the events are enough to make people go. One of the complaints I hear most often on here is that it's too expensive. If people have wanted to go, which most people of the Diaspora do, and can't afford it, nothing will have changed with the addition of multiple "festivals". By the way, I don't agree with the expense. I just flew over on Aer Lingus and didn't pay much more than I paid on my first trip in 1980. And I would gladly pay a bit more to fly Aer Lingus. Great flight, great service, no extra fees for anything you might want. From what I hear, I would have to find a new airline if/when Ryanair takes over. I know if you have a family it would add up, but so does travelling anywhere. People today want to pay rock bottom prices and then complain when they get rock bottom service. Another complaint I hear here is that people don't meet any Irish. For the first time, I stayed in mid to high level hotels instead of B&Bs, and except for management, everyone we dealt with was foreign. I hear that it's that way also in many B&Bs. That's not what people will be expecting. One thing that bothered me during this trip, my first in many years, is the growing commercialization of places that shouldn't be commercialized. Places like the Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway. Very disappointing. I had been thinking of going back in the spring, but will hold off in planning until I see how many people are actually going to take part in this.

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