The Gathering are you ashamed

Hootanany

I am.

PizzamanIRL

Have you tried reporting your story to the Daily Star? They pay very well.

Micky Dolenz

I'm not.

Can't bate a good session.

Valetta

Hootanany wrote: »

I am.

Why?

I think it's a great idea with only positive things to come out of it.

Brego888

I don't care enough to have an opinion

3rdDegree

Was back in my home town of Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny at the weekend and saw this planted at one of the roundabouts on the way in. I'm certainly proud.

First of all, I didn't know they were expecting me; and second, I only came from Dublin!

jimmycrackcorm

Hootanany wrote: »

I am.

Is it the smell?

The Backwards Man

I think it's great. More tourists around here than there has been in many a year.

keith16

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

I'm not.

Can't bate a good session.

But this one is sponsored by the government and I can't in good conscience be expected to....wait a minute.....did you say session?

seven_eleven

Anybody who is "ashamed" should cop on a bit. There's nothing to be ashamed about it, seriously.

there's a lot of good work being put into the gathering, and a lot of other good things coming out of it.

For example a large internation summer camp for physically and intellectually disabled people of all ages is being hosted here in Ireland for a week in August. People will be coming from many different countries.

http://www.internationalcamp2013.ie/

SimonLynch

I'm indifferent to the Gathering thing, it's a bit along the lines of what Claire Daly might object to.

I'd like to see more of an Ireland's good value now campaign. I've stayed in hotels in the last year for silly money and had nothing but great service and at worst palatable food.

Highlight was the Inishowen Gateway in Buncrana and finding my favourite pub in Ireland - The Drift Inn next door

Taco Corp

If any other country had done something similar you'd be asking how come Ireland didn't think of that.

Micky Dolenz

keith16 wrote: »

But this one is sponsored by the government and I can't in good conscience be expected to....wait a minute.....did you say session?

That's the spirit

I've been home a lot this year, not becuase of any government driven agenda. But it is important to remind people how much fun our cities/towns are. We live in a great country, the best country in the world some would say.

the keen edge

Hootanany wrote: »

I am.

And so you should be.

Good auld Irish Catholic shame is one of the big selling points of The Gathering.
Tourists will be arriving here expecting a look of humiliation upon the faces of the natives.

Ireland thanks you for doing your bit.

Washington Irving

The what?

matTNT

No, all for it; Ireland has only two indigenous industries: farming and tourism let's get as much money this underutilized industry and once the tourists come for the gathering I guarantee that many will want to come back.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

SaulGoode9 wrote: »

The what?

Indeed.

This is apparenly aimed at getting expats to come home for a bit, but as an expat who came home, I had no idea what it was until I was home...

brummytom

I think it's genius on the part of the Irish tourist board. The country's desparate for money at the moment, why not take advantage of Americans whose great-great-great grandparents once met an Irishman?

For Forks Sake

matTNT wrote: »

No, all for it; Ireland has only two indigenous industries: farming and tourism let's get as much money this underutilized industry and once the tourists come for the gathering I guarantee that many will want to come back.

How dare you show positivity, the torch, pitchfork and misery brigade will be after you..........

TheUsual

It's better to burn out than to fade away !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bOKsOveYD0

Jimoslimos

Underwhelmed.

Why is it we can't target a massive untapped tourist market on our doorstep, Europe, instead of a few dozen expats with the means and the time (two very precious commodities in the US anyway) to visit?

A stupid idea trying to disguise the fact we are an unattractive destination for anyone who doesn't have an above basic level of English.

Manc-Red

Hootanany wrote: »

I am.

I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm ashamed of it....

it is however a big pile of bo**ox though.

Joe prim

Captain_Hindsight wrote: »

If any other country had done something similar you'd be asking how come Ireland didn't think of that.

Actually , we copied it off Scotland who did something similiar a few years ago, so in fact we didn't think of it, so that's how come, right !

EuskalHerria

There will always be begrudgers. I think it's a great idea.

When does it start?

For Forks Sake

Jimoslimos wrote: »

Underwhelmed.

Why is it we can't target a massive untapped tourist market on our doorstep, Europe, instead of a few dozen expats with the means and the time (two very precious commodities in the US anyway) to visit?

A stupid idea trying to disguise the fact we are an unattractive destination for anyone who doesn't have an above basic level of English.

http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/3_General_SurveysReports/Overseas_visitors_to_Ireland_January-March_2013.pdf?ext=.pdf

Visitors from mainland Europe up 13% Year on Year for Q1.....any other unsubstantiated statements can be answered by statistics in the link.

kerry4sam

Hootanany wrote: »

I am.

NO I am not ashamed of 'The Gathering'. It is what you make it at the end of the day.

I am fortunate in my job I've been witness to numerous 'Gatherings' whereby people have decided that this is 'The Year' to re-unite with family & friends and so many have chosen my place of work for this too

Some moments have been cringe-worthy, but still nice to observe. Some people have ripped the event to the extreme but mostly though 'The Gatherings' I have been witness to have been lovely so I am not ashamed in the slightest with what I have seen thus far this year.

DEFTLEFTHAND

EuskalHerria wrote: »

There will always be begrudgers. I think it's a great idea.

When does it start?

It started on New Years Eve with a number of events around the country. It's supposed to be a year long thing.

Jimoslimos

For Forks Sake wrote: »

http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/3_General_SurveysReports/Overseas_visitors_to_Ireland_January-March_2013.pdf?ext=.pdf

Visitors from mainland Europe up 13% Year on Year for Q1.....any other unsubstantiated statements can be answered by statistics in the link.

Anything more concrete than a badly presented survey?

For Forks Sake

Jimoslimos wrote: »

Anything more concrete than a badly presented survey?

It's Failte Irelands figures, what else do you want me to get. Would you like me to go to the airport and conduct a survey?

Jester252

Sure its just marketing

Sergeant

I know of 6 Canadians arriving into Ireland to visit the place where their great-grandfather grew up. It's a really beautiful place beside the Shannon. Behind them is a series of hills; looking across the river reveals miles of unblemished bog land.

It's their first time in Ireland. The reason they decided to visit here as a group was as a result of seeing an ad by Fáilte Ireland last year. Saw the ad. Had a chat. Over drinking wine they decided to visit Ireland.

For Forks Sake

Jester252 wrote: »

Sure its just marketing

Marketing for tourism, which is one of our major industries and thus essential. The amount of people who fail to get this and instead harp on about 'shaking down foreigners' , is frankly worrying.

Jimoslimos

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Marketing for tourism, which is one of our major industries and thus essential. The amount of people who fail to get this and instead harp on about 'shaking down foreigners' , is frankly worrying.

No, I wouldn't so mind if they were 'shaking down foreigners'. At least then I'd know they were doing their job. 'Shaking down ex-pats' would be a more appropriate description.

Pumpkinseeds

Ashamed? Nope, embarrassed? Absolutely:o

Celly Smunt

What are we going to do next year?

For Forks Sake

pmcmahon wrote: »

What are we going to do next year?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHn0pBePN7I

April O Neill

3rdDegree wrote: »

Was back in my home town of Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny at the weekend

I'm sorry for your troubles.

caustic 1

Embarrassed and ashamed, why?

We live in a very beautiful country, and most who visit it recognise this and by word of mouth more and more will come to visit.

Surely this can only be a good thing.

Taco Corp

Joe prim wrote: »

Actually , we copied it off Scotland who did something similiar a few years ago, so in fact we didn't think of it, so that's how come, right !

Fair enough. Still though, doesn't make it a bad idea.

jobeenfitz

A gathering. I heard about this. Its in O'Connells bar, Galway on Saturday. Heard there's a one coming back from America for it. Jesus its gonna be a big thing then. Have we to dress up in leprechaun suits with little stars n stripes?
Pimping ourselves out n stuff!

Coutinho 10

I was hoping for a couple of hundred Immortals turning up to trying and take each others heads off!

That's my idea of The Gathering.

EoghanIRL

Yes I am . It's ridiculous how the government are trying to draw people
Back home when they are the reason they left in the first place .
What happens next year when none of them return ?

hfallada

I think it's ridculous that they still go after the traditional American and british tourist. But countries like uk are targeting china and India where there is ton of wealthy people.

Ireland has a pretty impressive landscape. Something which the Indians and Chinese would like

MOC88

Coutinho 10 wrote: »

I was hoping for a couple of hundred Immortals turning up to trying and take each others heads off!

That's my idea of The Gathering.

Well if the survivor came back there'd be repeat custom.... maybe Failte Ireland would go for it

ToddyDoody

Did the gathering make any money in the end?

Ashamed? I'm knackered. Airport's never been this busy. And it's all tourists.

Them Gathering bastards. Putting bread on my table, how dare they?

Xavi6

Not ashamed but it's very cringeworthy, much like the Obama fawning.

El Gato

The Gathering?

Let me see (and yes, those of you who have not been negatively affected by the unnecessary austerity ARE entitled to your incorrect opinion) is a lame attempt for this failing government to tempt back the ex-pat population who left, due to the inability/unwillingness of the current government who was in opposition at the time of the last government, to do their job properly.

As Gabriel Byrne said - it'd disgusting.

In reality it's a scramble to try to do something 'new and fresh' by this joke of a government (oh wait a minute, as has been pointed out, this is a copycat of another initiative attempted in another close state). It's almost like the 5000 job bridge 'internships' that is supposed to stem the unemployment issue of 400,000.....

Yet another 'ah, sure, the population are too stupid to see it for what it is' "initiative" on behalf of the group of idiots lead by a school teacher we have for a government.

downonthefarm

there are many things to be ashamed of with this place at the mo....
the ramming of the abortion issue down our throats
the shameless fawning over barry and his family
but this .....who gives a fcuk about this

Senna

Do you people think the gathering is an attempt to get people who have emigrated to come back to live in Ireland?? Of course it isn't, they are trying to get people who have Irish roots back for a holiday, spend money in the country and feck off home again.
Its actually working very well and has boosted tourist numbers in Donegal. The increased numbers aren't a coincident, these people have arrived because of the gathering. Finally they have done something right but of course the usual AH moaners wouldn't be able to sleep at night if they weren't able to complain about something just because it's government led.

MadsL

hfallada wrote: »

Ireland has a pretty impressive landscape. Something which the Indians and Chinese would like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmQJdDb_VmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIxBxAZIXHM

Sure Dingle knocks spots off it.