Pub GuideIreland announces a global Irish homecoming for 2013
‘Gathering’ set to welcome 325,000 visitors in 2013
Published Saturday, October 8, 2011, 7:35 AM
Updated Monday, October 10, 2011, 10:49 AM
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Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring (left) and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar attend the launch of The Gathering 2013 during the Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin
Photo by The Irish Times
The Irish government has unveiled plans for what has been billed as the country’s biggest-ever tourist initiative.
The year-long event, titled ‘The Gathering’, is expected to attract up to 325,000 extra visitors into Ireland in 2013.
The initiative was announced on Friday at the Global Irish Economic Forum by Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar, who described it as “an invitation to the world to come and join in Ireland’s renewal."
“The Gathering will be a year-long program of events, festivals and fun designed to bring record numbers of visitors.”
Such a boost to tourism is predicted to generate an extra $399 million for the Irish economy.
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“People often ask me what they can do to help get Ireland out of recession and back to prosperity. Irish people living and working abroad ask them same thing," he continued. “The Gathering is the answer to this question.”
Every town and village in Ireland will be asked to participate in the events, which will be aimed primarily at the Irish diaspora, as well as people with an interest in the country.
The main focus of The Gathering will be a series of flagship festivals throughout the year, both existing and new, along with special interest spin-off events, designed to showcase Irish arts, food, sports, genealogy, family heritage, learning, science and hospitality. The initiative will be officially launched with a number of special events on St. Patrick’s Day.
Tourism Ireland stated that The Gathering could generate up to $399 million for the Irish economy and create 2,000 jobs.
It is based on ‘Homecoming Scotland’ which broght 100,000 people to Scotland in 2009 marketing drive.
"There are a lot of people with Irish connections or a fondness for Ireland who have a vague plan to get here some time -- we want to light a fire under them and get them here in 2013," said tourism chief executive Shaun Quinn.
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oTuachair | Oct 22, 2011, 08:40 PM EDT
I’m honored to be an American descended from Irish ancestors. I have studied Irish history and politics, but I understand that I am far too far removed from my Irish ancestry to deserve a vote. It is important to remember that the United States is a nation made up primarly of immigrants, which is why so many of us have an interest in genealogy, an knowing from where we come. When we discover a connection to Ireland, we are naturally drawn to it, because it gives us a sense of heritage beyond our American heritage. The “gathering” concept shows an undstanding that reaching out to those of us of Irish ancestry, whether recent or deep, is a great way to capitalize on the pull we feel to your country. It is comforting to this American to know that when I visit, I will be contributing to the prosperity of a nation with whom I share a common haritage, as distant as it may be.
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joycean | Oct 09, 2011, 06:18 PM EDT
street festivals. In Germany during grape harvest, every little town in the wine-growing regions has open-air tables with wine and other local diushes,folk dancing, local bands, etc.
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celticfour | Oct 09, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT
The future of Ireland's economy is tourism and organic farming. Get on with it.
Don't just ask them to come, but come for a reason and the reason is hospitality.
Stop the rip offs We were never known for ripping off our guests.They will pay their way and return but not if they are ripped off.If anything give them a token discount.
County Cork should build a monument to Mary Harris--the greatest Irish American Irish woman ever.
Speaking of women,Why are women excluded from horse racing? Where is the ladies grand National. Why not?
Golf on a hundred courses Why not a Worlds amateur championship?
How about a car rally based on m
miles per gallon?
Sporting events; We are famous for sailing. Sail around Ireland for a million Euros would generate a half billion in tourist dollars.
Atlantic city and Las Vegas can fly people to their sites to gamble Aer Lingus could discount their fares by 50% and the country would make it up in tourist spending.
It's called 'Ireland of the welcomes''Hospitality is our business'.
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bogsidebunny | Oct 09, 2011, 11:39 AM EDT
GeorgeDillon Great item. You speak the truth! I wonder how much Slick Willie got for his Bull Sh** speech at Dublin castle? Betcha it was more that the average Irishman makes in 5-years.
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GeorgeDillon | Oct 09, 2011, 10:04 AM EDT
Will Bono and all the other tax-dodgers (the Irish are so dumb that they invited multi-millionaires who have fled abroad in order to avoid paying tax in Ireland to speak at this diaspora shindig!) "come home" in 2013? That year is the centenary of the Great Lock-Out of 1913. If the Irish had any cojones they'd lock all these jerks out of their country. But they don't and won't.
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Towngate | Oct 09, 2011, 08:14 AM EDT
This group gathering to give the impression that everything is okay, is what the sort of thing that got Ireland into trouble in the first place. Fix the problem! That's what needs to be done! As several commenters below point out; Irelands entertainment and Tourist industry should address it's culture of greed and give better value for money. Meantime, "Fine words butter no Parsnips". ~~~ Btw: I am relieved that the Sun-squint Clinton and the Tight-wad Gang at least didn't drag the monstrous McGuinness into the equasion ....
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FatherVol | Oct 09, 2011, 07:50 AM EDT
Hey, Captain, are you suggesting that my grand-nephews, who are four generations removed from their Irish-immigrant grandparents, should be given the right to vote in Irish elections even though they care nothing about Ireland, except as a piece of their ancesteral history, and even less about what happens there? Please.
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gobdawpaddy | Oct 09, 2011, 06:14 AM EDT
Agree with you Cindy. Renting a car in Ireland is the epitomy of their rip off culture. Aso agree that they don't know how to drive and are too stupid too realize this is why they have so many 'single veeeeehicle accidents'. They had a great scheme 30 years ago when there minister for the enviornment granted people who had gone through 3 learner permits a full licence. o they are trying to educate their lousy drivers via TV advertising. Gombeen nation.
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antoman | Oct 09, 2011, 04:13 AM EDT
Perhaps one should refrain from posting when drunk.
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cindyohcindy | Oct 08, 2011, 08:35 PM EDT
correction, at eh end of my previous post.. I wanted to stay sage not same..
Thanks
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cindyohcindy | Oct 08, 2011, 08:32 PM EDT
Renting a car in Ireland is outlandish...I don't understand
why they have to charge so much..Airfair is outlandish..
Death on the Irish roads were out of sight, they have come
down lately.
Most drivers in Ireland tail you so closely, if you are not
familiar with the roads, they make you very nervous.. Americans are not used to the round abouts, please take this into consideration..
When the people from Ireland come to the US the don't rent a car and we drive them all over..
Driving on slick roads the drivers do not slow down, why are they not aware of the conditions?
My brother rip was killed instantly crossing the road on a
straight strech of road, it should not have happened...
Do you want this to happen to your family..
When the doctor called and said to my mother you son James is gone, she responded gone where? lets stop the road killing.. stay same...
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vincentruane | Oct 08, 2011, 04:10 PM EDT
While hundreds of thousands are fleeing Ireland because of Government mismanagement, they are planning a homecoming festival. I guess this gives a new meaning to the word arrogance. Lets have an "Invent a new product festival, for Ireland's teenagers" With a few key rules. One: I million dollars given to the teenager, who comes up with the best product. Two-One judge from each of Ireland's 32 counties and three- every teenager who submitts a significant idea gets a fair reward.
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cappamore | Oct 08, 2011, 01:34 PM EDT
I visit regularly and am always puzzled as to why Ireland is one of only three countries that car rental collision insurance is not covered by our credit cards. Furthermare,the extra premium for automatic trans. cars seems out of line with the cost of same when purchasing a new car. I understand the reasons the rental agencies tout about their being harder to sell when coming off a lease but the last few times I rented, the cars had more than enough rental miles on them to offset any such discrepancy. This is an area the car rental industry ought to look into as a way to increase tourism.
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caramia | Oct 08, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
Reading the comments from this article, I'm confused.I'm a granddaughter of an Irish immigrant, and my Irish roots are very strong inside me, thanks to my grandfather and my Dad. I'm planning a trip (my first!) to Ireland early next summer, and I've been so excited I can hardly stand it! But reading some of these comments, I'm wondering if I'll be "welcome"? I consider myself part of the diaspora, and am longing to touch the ground of my roots. Does Ireland need a government sanctioned year to welcome "home" those of us who have learned about and loved our Irish culture since we were young children
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