An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore are urging every community to get involved in The Gathering Ireland 2013, the biggest tourism event ever staged here.
“This initiative needs the widespread participation of communities and local organisations all across Ireland,” Kenny says. “The Gathering gives each and every one of us an opportunity to do something positive for our country in our own unique way.
“It’s all about you, your family, your neighbours, your sports club, your college. Whatever community or group you belong to, we would like you to start planning special events to highlight what is great about that community, and about Ireland.”
The year-long initiative is being spearheaded by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar who reveals that the festivities will include a new love: live music festival; another multi-venue Christmas and New Year’s festival; the Harvest Gathering celebration of Irish food; an international GAA event with finals held in Croke Park in August; and a new production by Riverdance creators John McColgan and Moya Doherty.
He’s also promising “significantly enhanced” versions of the St. Patrick’s Festival, Wexford Opera Festival, Cork Choral Festival, Dublin Horse, Bloom and the Temple Bar Tradfest.
“We are inviting the world to Ireland next year for this festival of festivals,” the Minister enthuses. “It promises to be the biggest tourism initiative ever staged in Ireland. I want The Gathering to be an event that belongs to everyone in Ireland, and which everyone in Ireland feels part of. If you want help organising your own Gathering, then log on to the new Gathering website at http://www.thegatheringireland.com to take advantage of all the available supporting material.”