The Gathering 2013 in Ireland deserves a major response from Irish America

I'm taking a group over for this

A great idea surely just as long as airlines and the Irish hospitality industry play fair and don't turn into total gluttons.

"ByTheBay" - I don't mean to offend ... but! ... seriously, have you been to see a shrink recently? So full of anger, so full of hate! Easy now, boy, let it go.... let it go .... let it gooooooooooooooooo. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland. (Only €200 per hour for brain therapy. Soul therapy available as an extra (€500.00).

Funny article. If the comments posted on IC are any indication, the overwhelming majority of Irish will be praying that "Irish America" stays away.

The Worldwide Diaspora is 70 million people not just those in the US, contrary to what those in the US might think. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and states of the Caribbean, continental Europe as well as other countries all include the Diaspora. An extra 300,000 from that 70 million plus is a fraction of 1% of the total. That should be easily achieveable with the friends/relatives of the Diaspora which are frequent visitors to Ireland primarily from the United Kingdom and continental Europe and who can travel very easily to Ireland.

One would home that Tourism Ireland would travel throughout the US promoting this initiative instead of preaching to the choir. Despite issues Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Arizona, New Mexico among others are seeing a rebirth of the Irish dancing, Music, the GAA and groups etc. This is where the gathering needs to be promoted and perhaps Tourism Ireland could prevail upon United Airlines to put a flight on to Ireland from the southwest region instead of having us go to Newark. Irish tourism interests could be pleasantly surprised if they paid attention to this area.

I just want to give everybody in the United States a BIG, BIG, "Céad Míle Fáilte" for when you come over to visit us. You are ALWAYS very welcome, and I hope and trust that the vast majority of Irishmen and Irishwomen let you know that in abundance whenever you come. I am sure they will. For my part, I have always simply LOVED the United States - and the totally wonderful welcome you all give to Irish people when we are visiting you. Thank You! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

There is nothing like the delusions and rantings of a traitor to tell people the right message...........Old Book Enda is a fool.

The airlines are already gouging or my family of 6 would have been there in 2012. I am at least fortunate enough to have gone 4 times starting in 2000 but wanted to go ever other year. What a wonderful country with warm and friendly people.

I went to Ireland for my 40th birthday in 2003 and will hopefully be there for my 50th birthday in 2013... am very much looking forward to another wonderful trip there in March or April of 2013.

Because of the gathering in 2013,I am coming back in 2012 B4 the airlines,hotels,B&B's start gouging!