The Gathering 2013

ScumLord · 09-01-2013 03:56PM

Dodge wrote: »

But there's been nothing done to make the place anyway (more) attractive for them, so its really a bit pointless.

Ireland is what it is and that's what tourists want to see. For the most part the scenery of the Irish countryside will do the majority of the hard work for us. Dublin is a nice looking city as is Galway, both are well equipped for tourists anyway so will have no problem accommodating extra tourists.

Tourism is down, so the capacity is there and the Irish countryside is always ready to impress no matter what the weather. As long as the place is clean there's not much else we need to do.

Dodge · 09-01-2013 04:30PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Ireland is what it is and that's what tourists want to see. For the most part the scenery of the Irish countryside will do the majority of the hard work for us. Dublin is a nice looking city as is Galway, both are well equipped for tourists anyway so will have no problem accommodating extra tourists.

Tourism is down, so the capacity is there and the Irish countryside is always ready to impress no matter what the weather. As long as the place is clean there's not much else we need to do.

I like Ireland. I like living here, and I can see why its a top tourism destination for many. But, in this particular case, they're trying to lure people who have left the country back to spend money here. If it was as simple as "here's Ireland, spend your money", then they wouldn't feel the need to have events such as this.

I think the idea is fine, but I don't think its been expanded enough (if that makes sense)

ScumLord · 09-01-2013 04:40PM

Dodge wrote: »

I think the idea is fine, but I don't think its been expanded enough (if that makes sense)

I haven't really been following it to closely so I don't know what they've organised. But if enough people show up Dublin and Galway (I'm sure other places are as well equipped) have the ability to entertain them. The processes are already in place, we're a well oiled machine when it comes to giving tourists to Ireland what they expect. Which is drinking Guinness in a pub while listening to live Irish music for the most part. While that's no terribly exciting to us it's what the tourist want to see. The only spanner in the works would be if the natives don't show up because we are a major part of the attraction too.

Rented Mule · 09-01-2013 05:39PM

As someone who has to fly back to Ireland in August for a wedding, I am quite interested to see how much price gouging will be going on. I am completely preparing myself to be screwed over by every hotel, B&B and shoppe along the way.

strobe · 09-01-2013 05:48PM

What's with all this 'scam' gibberish? It's a tourism promotion dealy... Think up by Tourism Ireland, where is the 'scam' exactly? Everyone knows tourism is to generate money for the economy, no one has pretended the Gathering isn't a tourism promotion.

When Tesco advertise their products do you people scream 'such a scam! Sure they're only advertising that milk so we'll come and buy it. They only want our money the sneaky ****ers! Ohh, I see through their Mephistophelian plans! No fooling me!'

Madness...

MarkHitide · 09-01-2013 06:18PM

This is a grab I took from the official 'The Gathering' website.
It doesn't inspire.

ScumLord · 09-01-2013 06:23PM

MarkHitide wrote: »

This is a grab I took from the official 'The Gathering' website.
It doesn't inspire.

It looks like a violent form of stripping.

Pumpkinseeds · 09-01-2013 09:22PM

It really annoys me and I'm not entirely sure why. I feel embarrassed by it, it makes me cringe to be Irish. I don't believe that its aimed at Irish emigrants, I think its designed to encourage Americans who have never been to Ireland and who's great, great, great 10 times removed relative emigrated to the States to come over and play the Irish card.

Fricking hate it when anyone not born in Ireland claims to be Irish. Seems to be popular for many countries now though. How the hell can someone be a % Irish

gallag · 09-01-2013 09:36PM

Willy frazer seems to be the only one taking this seriously.

Aidric · 09-01-2013 09:41PM

ScumLord wrote: »

Dublin is a nice looking city

By what criteria?

Dravokivich · 09-01-2013 09:47PM

An Coilean wrote: »

No, I would say its a bit thick to try and create a 'celebration of all things Irish' and forget about the Irish Language though.

Eh what's the point on posting it in Irish if the expats its aimed at wouldn't have been able to read it?

shawnee · 09-01-2013 09:55PM

Rented Mule wrote: »

As someone who has to fly back to Ireland in August for a wedding, I am quite interested to see how much price gouging will be going on. I am completely preparing myself to be screwed over by every hotel, B&B and shoppe along the way.

Where are you coming from and what prices do they charge over there ? Personally I think hotel prices here are as competitive as anywhere in Europe.

09-01-2013 10:43PM

My name is URL wrote: »

The same people that are in charge of all other tourism drives?

ScumLord wrote: »

Tourism Ireland?

Nope. .

http://www.broadsheet.ie/2012/11/25/the-ah-here-ing/

Jim Miley , project director of The Gathering is being paid € 168,000 a year in his role head of the tourism initiative. Miley, former chief executive of MyHome.ie and a former General Secretary of Fine Gael won a tender in May to run a “national tourism initiative and community development project.”

There were several applications for the role from senior marketing and tourism industry figures. Miley signed a contract on a salary of € 14,000 a month on May 18.

Millions have been allocated to this, why are we duplicating the role of tourism quangos?

ScumLord · 10-01-2013 12:12AM

Aidric wrote: »

By what criteria?

It's clean, easy to get around has some nice enough architecture, museums. It's got everything any tourist city in Europe has, more in some cases.

An Coilean · 10-01-2013 12:50AM

Dravokivich wrote: »

Eh what's the point on posting it in Irish if the expats its aimed at wouldn't have been able to read it?

You don't think there's any chance that there might be some small appeal in seeing Ireland's Native Language included in promotion material for people interested in visiting Ireland?
Something that distinguishes Ireland as distinct from our nearest neighbor, a language containing one of the oldest literary traditions in Europe, the first official language of the state today, you sure tourists couldn't possibly have any interest in that?

Lets not forget that many of the diaspora, especially in the states trace their Irish roots to emigrants who went to the US as Irish speakers. The language is very much a part of the story of the diaspora.

No one is saying promote it in Irish only, but ignoring Irish when the aim is to 'celebrate all things Irish' seems a bit self defeating to me.

Iwasfrozen · 10-01-2013 01:29AM

An Coilean wrote: »

You don't think there's any chance that there might be some small appeal in seeing Ireland's Native Language included in promotion material for people interested in visiting Ireland?
Something that distinguishes Ireland as distinct from our nearest neighbor, a language containing one of the oldest literary traditions in Europe, the first official language of the state today, you sure tourists couldn't possibly have any interest in that?

Nope, not the majority.

An Coilean wrote: »

Lets not forget that many of the diaspora, especially in the states trace their Irish roots to emigrants who went to the US as Irish speakers. The language is very much a part of the story of the diaspora.

The language their ancestors abandoned as fast as they could when they got to America.

An Coilean wrote: »

No one is saying promote it in Irish only, but ignoring Irish when the aim is to 'celebrate all things Irish' seems a bit self defeating to me.

No one is ignoring it, it just isn't being given emphasis.

Dravokivich · 10-01-2013 10:21AM

An Coilean wrote: »

You don't think there's any chance that there might be some small appeal in seeing Ireland's Native Language included in promotion material for people interested in visiting Ireland?
Something that distinguishes Ireland as distinct from our nearest neighbor, a language containing one of the oldest literary traditions in Europe, the first official language of the state today, you sure tourists couldn't possibly have any interest in that?

Lets not forget that many of the diaspora, especially in the states trace their Irish roots to emigrants who went to the US as Irish speakers. The language is very much a part of the story of the diaspora.

No one is saying promote it in Irish only, but ignoring Irish when the aim is to 'celebrate all things Irish' seems a bit self defeating to me.

Appeal. Yeah I can see why people would want it. It doesn't make sense to provide a marketing campaign to a reduced audience with it though. Especially when its for the dispora we seem to have a hard on for all of a sudden.

gallag · 10-01-2013 10:38AM

Can people just send a cheque back to this charity event or do they need to come in person?

Richard Hillman · 10-01-2013 10:56AM

Without a doubt its a money making exercise which is good but its being done so half arsed. There should be a show piece event. At the moment if somebody from abroad asked me what it is I couldnt tell them.

Happyman42 · 10-01-2013 11:03AM

First event has been a disaster though, reason in pidgeon Irish.

Judes · 10-01-2013 11:56AM

I am still trying to figure out the point/purpose of "The Gathering".

It is supposedly going to help tourism, generate income into Ireland - and create jobs - HOW?!*

We the tax paying people of Ireland are being asked to organise and become involved in Community Projects and invite our friends and family to our shores - so basically it's down to us - to host our guests - entertain them, feed them, drive them around................... how the hell are we supposed to be able to put on this great show for our friends and family when the average Irish person is on such a tight personal budget these days, between unemployment, shorter hours, higher taxes and cut backs - I personally can't afford extra petrol costs, heating bills, food - just so some officials in the Department of Tourism etc. will get a pat on the back and told great job!!! Now if they allocate me a budget to do this, then I will happily entertain in the name of Ireland. Annual Festivals that normally take place i.e. artistic/sporting/cultural will still take place - so I hope "The Garhering" Clan - don't try to claim these events as part of their Gathering activities.

Seriously - I would like to see a listing of these huge national events being organised around the country? We've already seen hotel groups increasing their prices and taking advantage of us all with some of the bigger concerts this year, i.e. Bruce Springsteen. Every year I act as host to several friends who visit me from overseas - but this year, I'll be visiting a lot of them - because it's cheaper for me to go away then to stay here and get financially screwed.

sbsquarepants · 10-01-2013 12:03PM

An Coilean wrote: »

What do you think of it? I thought at first it sounded like a good idea, but it seems a lot of people think its just a scam to shake down the diaspora for a few quid.
.

Seen an article in the paper at the weekend about hotel/car hire packages being offered to american tourists for roughly half of what it would cost to book from Ireland. Really surprised me - maybe at long last a proportion of our "hospitality" industry types have finally copped on that robbing people isn't the most effective business model.
I have mixed feelings about it - it does seem a little bit like begging, but then anything that brings in foreign tourists and their lovely wads of cash has to be a good thing i think!

gobnaitolunacy · 10-01-2013 12:04PM

An airy-fairy concept. The calendar of events is useful to a prospective visitor but the impact of the website is diluted by all the silly small 'Gatherings' for Mary and John's wedding, Welly throwing etc.

AudreyHepburn · 10-01-2013 12:07PM

I fail to understand the animosity towards The Gathering, to be perfectly honest.

I think it is an excellent idea for many reasons;

1.) Rather than simply a money spinning scam, it is going to bring in much needed revenue to the country. Whinge and moan about the costs all you like but we need the money.

2.)Think of the jobs it will create, even if some of them are only short term. Even that short term employment could be enough to get some-one out of a financial hole.

3.) It's going to reunite families and bring home those who have be forced to leave, even if just for short a while. Not to mention those who may have left years and decades ago and may not have been back since. Think of the happiness it will bring so many families.

4.) I would hope that it will remind us that we are really not that bad a country and bring back a sense of unity and Irishness that has been lacking for far too long.
4.)

LordSutch · 10-01-2013 12:08PM

"The gathering" I would suggest smacks of Mr Camerons equally facile logo in Britain called "The big society" which also died at birth.

Where To · 10-01-2013 12:09PM

All the farmers have potato harvesters now, gathering is a thing of the past.

Dodge · 10-01-2013 12:16PM

Judes wrote: »

We the tax paying people of Ireland are being asked to organise and become involved in Community Projects and invite our friends and family to our shores - so basically it's down to us - to host our guests - entertain them, feed them, drive them around................... how the hell are we supposed to be able to put on this great show for our friends and family when the average Irish person is on such a tight personal budget these days

You're taking it WAY too literally.

The idea is that if you think you can bring someone to Ireland, who can spend their own money here, than do so, as we need all the tourists we can get

Nobody is expecting anybody here to put themselves into financial trouble for this. Its a pretty simple idea tbh

Judes · 10-01-2013 12:50PM

Hi Dodge,

Who are you trying to kid - if your friends/family come to visit - of course you will be expected to be a host/hostess to them!!!

I've been entertaining friends from overseas for years - so I have more than helped tourisim and the economy - but when out with my visiting friends they do point out how expensive it is to eat out/drinks etc. in Ireland - and I'm talking friends who live in London - a very expensive city, Edinburgh, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Spain................... face it - the expectations are that WE do the organising and entertaining.

Dodge · 10-01-2013 01:05PM

If I can't afford to put people up I don't invite. its as simple as that. Stop worrying about it

corkonion · 10-01-2013 01:12PM

To me it makes perfect sense, why wouldn't our tourist marketeers try to promote Ireland as a destination? Any theme or event that can be used to draw people to our shores is a good idea. As for people being "embarressed" by it.... Grow up

The Gathering 2013

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