The Gathering Ireland has been taken to heart by the Irish tourism industry. Many providers are organising their own gatherings in 2013 and inviting friends, family and clients to Ireland next year. Here are just a few that have inspired us.
O’Connells, O’Briens, Murphys, McCarthys…Glasnevin Cemetery is the final resting place for over 1.1 million people. The Glasnevin Trust acts as guardian to the stories of these ordinary and extraordinary people who have shaped the Ireland we live in today. Do you have a story to be found there? During 2013 Glasnevin Museum will partner with The Gathering Ireland to offer every visitor a €10 genealogy voucher to help find them find their roots. Start searching the Glasnevin Cemetery records online now.
Many providers will have a Gathering Ireland Directory for their areas with information on tourist attractions, genealogical resources, local libraries, museums, heritage sites, local festivals and gatherings
Did you know that Dublin’s historic Shelbourne Hotel has its very own Genealogy Butler? She's called Helen Kelly and has a passion and enthusiasm for Irish family history. Kelly can help you draw up a practical research plan with a one-hour advisory session. These sessions have lead countless guests to their Irish ancestral homelands. Earlier this year, within three days of a session, one family met more than 30 unknown cousins. www.theshelbourne.ie or www.helenkelly.com
In keeping with the spirit of The Gathering Ireland 2013, family-owned Roganstown House Hotel in Dublin will welcome O’Callaghans and McLoughlins ‘home’ to Roganstown by offering a complimentary room during 2013 for overseas visitors with these surnames. These are the family names linked with the hotel and grace the bar and restaurant. (This is a room only offer and subject to availability). www.roganstown.com
The Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel in Adare, Limerick, is organising a Fitzgerald Clan Reunion. It will take in a seven-day tour to key locations around Ireland associated with the Fitzgeralds. www.fitzgeraldclangathering.com
Abbey Tours in Ireland, in association with Global Sports Group and Anthony Travel in the USA, is organising a Global Ireland Sports Gathering 2013 for high school, college and club teams from the USA, Canada and beyond. The events will take place over the extended 2013 US Labor Day weekend (27 August to 2 September 2013). Your men’s and women’s teams, support groups, school administrators, faculty, families, friends and media are all invited! www.globalfootball.com and www.abbeytours.ie
Other hotels, restaurants and pubs all over the country are planning everything from traditional Irish music and dance nights, to Irish coffee-making demonstrations. They can also facilitate you with your gatherings.
As well as organising specific initiatives, the tourism industry is also linking in with communities and county plans for The Gathering Ireland and supporting the gatherings that are already taking place. For example, B&B Ireland can help you find the warmest of gathering welcomes in one of their B&Bs across Ireland.
The tourism industry are going the extra mile for their visitors in 2013 and creating great offers and experiences for The Gathering Ireland. For example, Irish and overseas tour operators can help you with all the logistics for your gathering or trip to Ireland next year.
Many providers will have a Gathering Ireland Directory for their areas with information on tourist attractions, genealogical resources, local libraries, museums, heritage sites, local festivals and gatherings. They’ll also be able to inform you about evening entertainment and link you up with local contacts.