Actor Gabriel Byrne slams The Gathering as ‘a scam‘ aimed at gullible Americans

We have to make do folks, too much negativity around

I think Gabriel Byrne is right on all accounts! Every issue Gabriel spoke on and about on The Last Word. I don't have but a quarter Irish in me-I'm American all the way...but The Gathering is indeed being marketed as much more of a "tourist" or "media" frenzy attraction-and most of you should know that like most other governments...people Irish or American-besides the reunions/friendships made for a lifetime will never see the $...because governments no matter who you are poor or rich the governments are all greedy...and Gabriel is right...voting counts no matter where you are mean a lot-and he was right when he touched on the fact that we put so much thought to how 'perfect' a certain or certain politicians as "the one" when they never will because we are all humans and we all make mistakes. I even loved how Gabriel spoke up about how much we rely on technology too much...and again, yes I loved what Gabriel said-he was much too right on everything and what's more...the passion and drive he has....about his ideas and how FOR THE PEOPLE he is!

@CitizenWhy -Right on. - Will the alcohol check points disappear or proliferate during the Gathering? They are destroying the craic and pub life. As for Gabriel Byrne's comments, they sound like sour grapes.

Who made this B-------s an Ambassodor for Ireland ! I have a major problem to resolve in my life .Why are gobshites like Geldof .Bono ,Byrne etc. considered important ? These people can hardly bloody well write their names ,bawling in to a microphone ,and intelligent people are supposed to applaud them as "leaders of our society " . THE WORLD IS MAD TO TOLERATE THEIR STUPID EGOS !

God bless Ireland and the United States of America,with or without Gabriel Byrne.

I agree with the shaken down note,that's why I just returned from Ireland and NI,rather than go next year and get gouged.Our Irish Cousins would do well to remember America is in midst of a recession which will probably deepen if O'Bummer is reelected.

Part of Gabriel Byrne comments are true, part of the comments left by readers are also true, of course the goverment are hoping for a big intake of tourism money, why not, we need it and also the state is for once putting money where its mouth is.Of course there will always be a few out to make a quick Euro, I for one have organised a gathering. One of the Hession Clan, it will cost me money to organise,I don,t care, I won,t want anything in return, but hope to re-unite some of Hessions of the world and all who will attend will make new friends and gain new distant relations, If I achive this then as an Irishman and a Hession. I can feel proud to be part of what was once a great nation and can be again.

this Byrne guy has a confidence in his own judgement and relevance that is baffling; even humorous...

WoundedKnee I think Nicoletta means she would be called 'plastic' in Ireland ? As for the Poles Indians Nigerians - they are 'THE NEW IRISH' dont ya know? RTE have done programmes about them using that title. By that reasoning the Irish now landing in London Birmingham and Manchester looking for work are 'THE NEW ENGLISH'. How does that go down in the republic? With regard to The Gathering - value for money goes beyond not getting ripped off in hotels and shops it should mean not getting ripped off culturally. that is no more destruction of heritage sites/ M3 at Tara/ Moore Street Dublin etc. If the 'Irish' at 'home' valued our heritage as much as the diaspora do we would have so much more in common.

I'm at a loss to understand Gabriel's motivation. However perhaps it's not all bad. This country's ordinary people have been asked at home to be "patriotic", wear the "Green Jersey" and put up with the massive destruction of the Irish economy. Put up with bankers' pensions in the region of 500k to a million paid for out of taxpayers' money AFTER the government bailout. There is no mention of the word "treason" being attributed to the bankers or their collaborators. So Gabriel may have reason for his outburst. Many may agree with him on both sides of the Atlantic. However set this all aside and consider the possibility that there are many here in Ireland who invite Americans to visit here in 2013 for the best of reasons including to help the LOCAL economy. There is a large American sector currently helping us to stay afloat in IT.Don't worry about the government they won't be visible as usual [though it might be a good idea to leave the camera at home in case they hear about it and instinctively jump into your pictures. So come on over in 2013. I'm sorry there seems to be no subsidised air farea?? Gabriel might be right???

I can't imagine Gabriel Byrne's motivation for trashing The Gathering 2013. I only wish Ireland's government and tourism boards would have such marketing and public relations pushes year in and year out, together with the push for Aer Lingus flights from more American cities! Nothing wrong with visiting Ireland at any time, in any year, whether or not one has roots there. I've been going to Ireland 40 years, and now have a home in Co. Mayo. As much as I have seen of this exquisite land, so full of history, culture and impossible beauty, I never tire of it! It takes my breath away every time I go - as often as 4 X yearly now! And I am very happy to spend my Yankee dollars there, to help this little country smaller than West Virginia, but so full of leaders and scrappy people, who'd take the shirts off their backs to give you if you need those!

Irish mericans know they are americans and are generally proud of that fact. The word "Irish" in this context is an adjetive which carries an inbuilt meaning - - a recognition, and hopefully a pride in that part of their ethnic heritage.

My God, There are some nutters on here. Éamonn, Dublin.

The Gathering is a commercial enterprise based on a real human emotion- to visit home; a return to, perhaps, a tribal beginning. Is that a bad thing? There is no equivilent for those of European descent in the America. In America, here there is a constant drive to destroy what is American and replace it with multiculturalism. I went to Scotland in 09 to participate in that home coming. My ancestors all left what is now Northern Ireland; some were Scots fleeing from the English. Some were Irish fleeing the English. In 09, I went to Scotland for the Homecoming and Gathering of the Clans. The event was very positive for the visitors; however, those Scots,whom had no clan attachment, did nothing but belittle the event. After it was over, much fingerpointing and complaining errupted. With time, and proper analysis, it was determined that it was an ecconomic success. Now, another event is being put on in 2014. I, for one will not go to the 2014 event at Stirling; I plan to go to Ireland in 2013. That is, if those who are predisposed to complain, do not poison the water.

This Gathering is very discriminatory. How are all the hundreds of thousands of Poles, Russians, Indians, Chinese, Nigerians etc in Ireland to feel? They'll be made to feel they are just foreign settlers who don't belong and have no roots in the country. That's so unfair, Irish! These people are the future of Ireland, the Gathering is living in the past! The future of Ireland is not Irish, it's multiracial.