Ireland announces a global Irish homecoming for 2013

Four of my family are visiting Ireland in May from Canada. If ireland is experiencing such financial problems, how come no one is offering a reduced rate for hotels, etc. Also, the car rental is awful. Why do I have to buy collision insurance, even when I have a letter from my credit card company saying I don't need it. The people are warm, and I have never felt pressured when driving there, even though I know I may not be going fast enough on the smaller roads.

Wow, sorry for all the typos in my previous comment. I really must pay closer attention to detail...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ....

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.

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.

Perhaps one should refrain from posting when drunk.

correction, at eh end of my previous post.. I wanted to stay sage not same.. Thanks

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...

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.

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.

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