The Gathering Ireland 2013, referred to as The Gathering was a

tourism Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring (disambiguation), touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tour (disambiguation), tours. Th ...

-led initiative in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. It aimed to mobilise the

Irish diaspora The Irish diaspora ( ga, Diaspóra na nGael) refers to ethnic Irish people and their descendants who live outside the island of Ireland. The phenomenon of migration from Ireland is recorded since the Early Middle Ages,Flechner and Meeder, The ...

to return to Ireland during 2013 to be part of specially organised local gatherings and events during the year. It was a

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...

supported initiative driven primarily by

Fáilte Ireland Fáilte Ireland is the operating name of the National Tourism Development Authority of the Republic of Ireland. This authority was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act of 2003 and replaces and builds upon the functions ...

, the National Tourism Development Authority, and

Tourism Ireland Tourism Ireland (Irish: ''Turasóireacht Éireann''; Ulster-Scots: ''Tourism Airlan'' or ''Reengin Airlann'') is the marketing body responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas. Tourism Ireland was established as one of "six areas o ...

. The concept relied on

grassroots A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at t ...

initiatives of private individuals, and non-governmental organisations. The Gathering was not a single event but provided an umbrella framework for varying activities throughout 2013, from family reunions and clan gatherings to sports fixtures. While the initiative was primarily directed at the Irish diaspora, and those with other links to the country, the organisers hoped the experience for the general tourist would also be enhanced. It began on 1 January 2013 and ended on 31 December 2013.

Background

The concept for The Gathering Ireland 2013 first emerged at the 2009 Global Irish Economic Forum held in

Farmleigh Farmleigh is the official Irish state guest house. It was formerly one of the Dublin residences of the Guinness family. It is situated on an elevated position above the River Liffey to the north-west of the Phoenix Park, in Castleknock. The est ...

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

. The forum had two broad objectives: to examine ways in which the Republic of Ireland could develop more strategic relationships with its diaspora; and to provide a platform for those living overseas who claim Irish ancestry to contribute to the country's economic recovery. The Gathering Ireland 2013 was seen as an opportunity to address both of these objectives, the latter achieved through additional overseas visitors and tourism revenue, which in turn may stimulate job creation.

Criticism

The initiative was criticised by entrepreneur Michael O'Leary and actor

Gabriel Byrne Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, audiobook narrator, and author. His acting career began in the Focus Theatre before he joined London's Royal Court Theatre in 1979. Byrne's s ...

. In a broad criticism of fiscal policy at a Dublin conference, O'Leary referred to the initiative as "The Grabbing", though he went on to say "We like, actually, the Gathering. I thought it wasn't a bad idea. There's no reason not to welcome everyone back to Ireland". Byrne, who previously served as a cultural ambassador for Ireland, said many Irish emigrants in the US felt abandoned by the government and described the initiative as "a scam".

References

External links

Official Web site - www.thegatheringireland.com
The website of The Gathering Ireland 2013
Official Web site - www.leitrimrootsfestival.com
The website of The Leitrim Roots Festival 2013 Tourism in Ireland Tourism campaigns 2013 in Ireland {{Tourism-stub

Background

Criticism

See also

References

External links