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Home Page > News > Gabriel Byrne says his description of The Gathering as a ‘shakedown’ was too harsh

Gabriel Byrne says his description of The Gathering as a ‘shakedown’ was too harsh

Dublin-born-actor says relationship with Diaspora must be nurtured

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 7:35 AM

Updated Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 7:35 AM

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Irish actor and former ambassador for culture, Gabriel Byrne, called The Gathering a "scam"

Photo by Time Out

Irish actor Gabriel Byrne backtracked on his criticism of “The Gathering,” admitting his description of the tourism initiative as a “shakedown” may have been "too strong a word."

The “In Treatment” star made headlines last November when he described The Gathering 2013 initiative as 'a scam.'

Speaking during a radio interview with Today FM Byrne said: “People are sick to death of being asked to help out in what they regard as a scam.”

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

The Dublin-born-actor, who previously served as Ireland’s Cultural Ambassador, said he stands over the majority of his remarks.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, he expressed dismay that his remarks got such a big reaction.

"I wouldn't take back anything that I said. I have lived in America since 1987, I understand how complex that group of people is," Bryne said in reference to the Irish diaspora.

"What I was saying was, 'This is the reaction that I have received about The Gathering.'

"They're an incredibly complex group. Emigrants have a tremendous spiritual connection to this country. If you're going to have a relationship with the diaspora, you have to nurture it, you have to take care of it, you have to tend it, you have to pay attention to it."

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anglo-norman | Jan 25, 2013, 08:11 PM EST

The Grovelling is a disgrace!! Show me the money but please don't come back here to live as you might take my money.

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Smyrnian | Jan 24, 2013, 09:43 AM EST

Portia - what a really stupid and insensitive comment. I typically try to avoid personal comments but in your case made the exception.

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bobby | Jan 24, 2013, 08:37 AM EST

@Oneill, most of those boats did not make it, the English stole it from them like everything else. What a Dickhead. Your mother must be very disappointed in you. You Prat. What a waste of space.

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Portia_O'Neill | Jan 24, 2013, 04:12 AM EST

Irish Americans might want to send a boat load of corn to Ireland like their ancestors did during the famine instead of attending a gathering.

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Smyrnian | Jan 23, 2013, 05:24 PM EST

Still feels cheap and crass to me. And yes, Bobby, I was there only a few weeks ago. For those of us gone a long time, there is an awareness of how little we were missed. Now we are suddenly part of a convenient 'diaspora'! Really? Just bring your $€£¥ and all will be well. Anyway I really do wish them luck with it.

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an seabhach | Jan 23, 2013, 01:23 PM EST

While the idea of the Gathering may be a good one, steps should be taken to prevent rip-offs of tourists: like a complaints hotline. Example: We booked a car over the phone with Enterprise. The trip involved crossing via car ferry to Scotland and back. The extra fee was 100 Euro. Agreed. When we got to the Enterprise office in Dublin (all bags transported, family waiting, etc.) we were informed that it would be 200 Euro extra. Take it or leave it. What to do? No compaints hotline. We were not warned about this. We were, however, warned that Enterprise would--at the end of the trip--try to claim damage to the car. Sure enough, they did! In that aspect of the rip-off, they failed. I understand that these practices are widespread in the Irish car-hire trade. So, tourists beware! There should be a hotline to register these abuses. It should be prominently displayed at every airport. And a Better Business Bureau.

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bobby | Jan 23, 2013, 11:57 AM EST

The majority of car rental companies in Dublin airport have an office or desk in the terminals. I would complain to them. Or call the customer service number and make a complaint or email. Better still tell them to keep the car and go to another company. I find Hertz the cheapest. Also i woild take pictures of the car inside and out before you leave the carpark.

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an seabhach | Jan 23, 2013, 11:27 AM EST

There ought to be a hotline for tourists in Ireland to report rip-offs. It should be posted in all airports and points of entry, much as warnings about pickpockets are posted in other countries.

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bobby | Jan 23, 2013, 11:18 AM EST

I wanted to rent a car at JFK last september, i was quoted $596 for a week, taxes included. When i got to car company they wanted an extra $185 they said for additional surcharges and some local taxes. I laughed at him and walked away. I did get as car with another company, it cost $495 all included. It is expensive to rent a car.

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bobby | Jan 23, 2013, 10:14 AM EST

@an seabhach i would have told then to shove it. Go to another company at the airport, Hertz, Europcar, AVIS, Alamo, Thrifty, Budget, Argus to name a few.

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an seabhach | Jan 23, 2013, 09:37 AM EST

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an seabhach | Jan 23, 2013, 09:37 AM EST

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curtisjohnson | Jan 22, 2013, 10:19 PM EST

“’They're an incredibly complex group. Emigrants have a tremendous spiritual connection to this country. If you're going to have a relationship with the diaspora, you have to nurture it, you have to take care of it, you have to tend it, you have to pay attention to it.’” He’s spot on – the whole gathering has the vulgar feel of being a mass produced continuation of the toxic industrial estate Ireland vision of the anglo oriented Dublin establishment.

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Mickwall | Jan 22, 2013, 04:21 PM EST

In reading comments concerning the relationship of the Irish Diaspora to the Government, I suggest they are missing the core feeling behind the Gathering. Surely one should participate due to a love of Ireland and its people. Even to help our people in these dire times would be more appropriate thinking. In short, feeling for our country and its people goes beyond any relationship with government.

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Happyhippo | Jan 22, 2013, 04:05 PM EST

Good man Gabriel,but it looks like someone got to him,he must have been under a lot of pressure from whatever sources to back track on his previous shakedown statement,seeing that both North and South tourism are spending double figure millions on promotion,it looks for all the world like a damage limitation effort,time will tell if it succeeds.

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