Irish tourism officials have accused Gabriel Byrne of engaging in a "precious little rant" after he slammed the Gathering initiative as a money-making "scam".
Eamonn McKeon, chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, advised Byrne to "stick to the acting," the Irish Independent reports.
"He's a wonderful actor and I greatly admire him but what a rant. Why do people immediately jump on any initiative and call it 'fleecing tourists'?" McKeon said.
Based on a similar tourism initiative in Scotland, The Gathering aims to increase tourist numbers with special events throughout 2013 throughout the country. During an interview with TodayFm earlier this week in New York, Gabriel Byrne was highly critical of Tourism Ireland’s efforts.
“I wish The Gathering the very best of luck but they have to understand that the bridge between the Diaspora and the people is broken and I tried to fix that for two years and it’s still broken,” Byrne said.
He added: “Most people don’t give a s**t about The Diaspora except to shake them down for a few quid.”
In his remarks, Byrne described Enda Kenny’s speech launching the initiative as "slightly offensive".
In rebuttal, Kenny described the tourism drive as a "very credible" proposal.
"I admire the work of Gabriel Byrne. He has been a fabulous ambassador for Ireland, but respectfully I disagree here," Kenny said.
Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland Executive Vice President for North America, also came out in defence of The Gathering.
Speaking to IrishCentral he stated, “Respectfully I have to disagree with nearly everything Gabriel says: Visitors from the U.S. to Ireland do not feel "shaken down" - far from it, in fact Irish people don't laugh at U.S. visitors but welcome them sincerely and warmly.
“Irish Americans do not feel the Gathering is a scam, most have bought into it enthusiastically. I do agree with Gabriel that many in the Diaspora have a deep spiritual connection to the island of Ireland.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jacersagain | Nov 11, 2012, 12:47 PM EST
(I re-post here what I wrote under Paul Allen’s article on IC, which pls see for another comment re the Global Irish Economic Forum; The Gathering is not a scam as defined in dictionaries). The Gathering ‘plot’ is unique in that it invites all Irish and Irish-of whatever countries and their families, family relations, friends and neighbours to come to Ireland in 2013 to enjoy what Ireland has to offer, to celebrate being Irish, search family roots, enjoy the beauty of Ireland, its culture and arts and help the Irish economy at the same time, throughout a year-long concentrated event. The Gathering is personal-, family-, business-, Irish economy- and fun- and enjoyment-orientated, concentrated all at once to bring an upward spike in the Irish economy. There are numerous unique events being prepared here at home right now by Irish people for throughout the year 2013 throughout Ireland for the benefit and enjoyment of those who do come and visit to be part of The Gathering. Don’t miss The Gathering… be one of those who, in future years, will look back and proudly, with your regalings, say “Yes, I was there…” You’ll be forgiven for being misty-eyed as you do.
Padraig8 | Nov 11, 2012, 10:35 AM EST
Is it a scam?its all in how you look at it ,meself thinks its unnecessary and it wont bring tourists. As joan says get some more spots for direct flights in the middle of the US and lower the prices a bit,when i first went over it was affordable (1986) Now its out of sight for air and accomodations My Grandaughter just honeymooned in Ireland and i could have bought a small auto for the same price. They loved it but for me a retiree and a dual citizen i can not afford it on a fixed income.
eiriamach | Nov 10, 2012, 04:19 PM EST
Probably it is a scam, though I wouldn't try to talk any American out of spending money on it. The real worry is that, like the certificate of Irish heritage, it will fail to bring in more money than Irish Tourism spends promoting it. Is it well thought out? Do the planners understand the connections (Not Just football!) that Americans have with Ireland?
WoundedKnee | Nov 10, 2012, 03:24 PM EST
Marym: "I renounced any connection to Ireland several years ago". So why are you hanging around an Irish American web site and discussion list? Do us a favor and go elsewhere.
Murph46 | Nov 10, 2012, 03:16 PM EST
As I said previously,is there anyone who doesn't believe that airlines,B&B's ,car rentals etc. WONT raise their prices for the gathering?
WoundedKnee | Nov 10, 2012, 11:51 AM EST
JoeByrne is lying when he says "“Irish Americans do not feel the Gathering is a scam". How the hell would he know? We most certainly do feel that it is an attempted rip-off by a greedy and poor value Irish tourism product.
MaryM232 | Nov 10, 2012, 11:45 AM EST
I would say to Irish tourism, why don't you shake your begging bowl in Europe, we US citizens (I renounced any connection to Ireland several years ago, after listening to Bertie Ahern's despicable referring to US citizens as chattel to exploit) have no interest in subsidizing your fat backsides. Beg in Russia, beg in the Middle East, beg in Africa, beg in China, we reject Ireland and it's socialistic, whinging disease.
joan1954 | Nov 10, 2012, 10:22 AM EST
I would say to Irish Tourism interests that they need to do a better job promoting Ireland in areas of the United States which do not have direct access. It's fine for those areas that are hubs for flights to Ireland but for the rest of us Ireland is a dicey expenditure when we don't know what is going to happen to the US financially. Tourism interests need to get out of their comfort zones of Boston, Chicago and New York and see the southwest.