Gabriel Byrne again slams The Gathering and Arthur’s Day

The Irish booze issues ? Enter a home in Ireland and get offered a cup of tea. Enter a home in the USA and get offered a beer.

I agree with Byrne a man who thinks for himself. He knows Ireland from both sides , the Irish American and as a native. Its also great to hear someone who is not afraid to talk about the Irish booze issues.

I disagree with woundedKnee I'm Boston Irish from a 6 generation Irish family and i will call Ireland my ancestral home. Direct descent from an ancestor; lineage or pedigree. 3. The study or investigation of ancestry and family histories.I'm there for 10 in 2013 and have all 8 of my family names. I think it great they are doing this even if it for a boost in the county. At lest the market good

I concur with Byrne--well spoken, especially his attack on the offensive "Arthurs Day". It was striking that Arthurs Day this year coincided with a day of national protests in Greece and Spain. The young people of these countries were on the streets, striving for a better future. A lot of the young people of Ireland were also on the streets that day, but they were vomiting their booze up after "celebrating" "Arthurs Day"... . A Sheáin Mhóir, aontaím leat sa mhéid a dúirt tú. Agus nach bhfuil sé suimiúl nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge fós acub ar an bhfocal “Gathering”?

I have no time for Gabriel Byrne, but I think he is correct with his reference to 'The Gathering' as a shakedown. Michael O'Leary is another person that I don't have much regard for but yesterday he echoed Byrne's assessment and refered to it as 'The Grabbing'. Enda Kenny alluded to the reputation of the Irish hospitality business for ripping people off when he warned them not to attempt it during 'The Gathering'. I hope that 'The Gathering' is a huge success, but from experience 'I know how they are there'.

Some od un among the diaspora don't waste our time or squander our dollars on Guinness or other intoxicants when we visit the homeland. To me Ireland means that whole nation and all its parts (never the former Free State territory) it history, traditions and culture, agus go speisialta teanga na NnGeal. Such being the case, I know very well that there is no place for me in the Gatherings of 2013.