Poll: Is The Gathering 2013 a good idea?

Gabriel Byrne believes the initiative is a scam. But what do you think?

By Sinead O'Carroll Tuesday 6 Nov 2012, 9:12 AM

Nov 6th 2012, 9:12 AM 16,909 Views 172 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/662905

Image: Photocall Ireland!

Image: Photocall Ireland!

THE GATHERING 2013, the largest ever tourism scheme to be run in this State, has come under fire from Hollywood actor Gabriel Byrne.

Branding the initiative a scam, the former cultural ambassador accused Ireland of using its diaspora for money and to boost tourism numbers.

However, the Government has billed the series of events as a positive move as it hopes to encourage hundreds of thousands of people who claim Irish ancestry to visit their homeland over the next year. According to organisers, communities across the island will “showcase and share the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, fighting spirit and the uniquely Irish sense of fun” through various events such as clan gatherings and festivals.

To date, a budget of €5 million has been allocated to the project.

What do you think? Is The Gathering 2013 a good idea?

Poll Results:

No (2863)

Yes (1797)

I don't know (1330)

#Open journalism No news is bad news Support The Journal

Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you

Support us now

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Sinead O'Carroll

@SineadOCarroll

sinead@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Sinead O'Carroll

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (172)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Poll: Is The Gathering 2013 a good idea?