The Gathering

The Gathering 2013: A year-long celebration of ...... p2 An event for everyone, from left-handers to redheads...... p3 Clan gatherings: Extended family is welcomed home...... p4 What else is on in Ireland: Culture, sport, firemen and literature...... p5

Travel Today Feature Published by Tabs on Travel Ltd © Copyright The Gathering Ireland’s Year-Long Party Next year Ireland wants to welcome home all those who are connect- ed to the country in any way— whether they have Irish relatives, an Irish name, love a Guinness, have visited or have always wanted to—and with New Zealand’s well- documented passion for all things Irish, the opportunities are endless for Kiwi agents. The Gathering Ireland 2013 will see Packed Calendar the country go into Irish overdrive Whether your client is a left- with a massive year-long calendar hander, twin, redhead, likes to of celebrations, and you only had to indulge in a spot of bog snorkel- look at the sea of green that took to ling or simply has a passion for the streets in last year’s Rugby World all things Irish, a packed calendar Cup to know Kiwis will want a piece of events lined up for next year is of the action. sure to have something to cater The event is aimed at the country’s towns holding gatherings, festivals ebrations, sporting challenges and to their interests. Over the next Diaspora and expects to attract as and events with a focus on the coun- art extravaganzas, says local Tourism few weeks, Tourism Ireland and many as 325,000 extra visitors, in- try’s culture, heritage and people. Ireland rep Darragh Walshe. Over 960 Travel Today will highlight some cluding a huge number of Kiwis—as Many clans, businesses and organisa- gatherings have been registered so far of these as well as how clients can many as a fifth of New Zealanders are tions have planned their own gather- and this number continues to climb, find out how to track down their thought to have Irish ancestry. ings, and there are a huge range of Walshe adds. The festival kicks off clans and see what family gather- The whole of Ireland is getting in- events from school reunions to film with a New Year’s Eve party in Dublin ings are being organised. volved, with communities, villages and festivals, music to food, literary cel- and runs for the entire year. Win A Trip To Ireland Agents have the chance to experience the festive atmosphere in Ireland next year for themselves by winning a place on an Emirates famil to Dub- lin. The carrier, along with Tourism Ireland, will take 10 top-sellers of its Europe earlybirds on the famil. Agents can pool their sales and the famil Imagine a year long places will be split between individual party, an entire country agents, larger agencies and corporates. as the venue, and the The incentive is open for sales to 17 whole population as Dec, see emiratesagents.com/nz hosts... Follow The Gathering Updates and information on The Gathering Ireland 2013 can be found at sources including facebook.com/ thegatheringireland; twitter.com/ gatheringIRL; thegatheringireland. com; youtube.com/gathering2013; and of course discoverireland.co.nz Join The St Pats Parade In a year-long party celebrating all things Irish, St Patrick’s Day is always Dodge The APD going to be a drawcard—and visitors to Dublin next 17 Mar are being of- announced this fered a unique opportunity to take part in celebrations. week that it is abolishing the air As part of the city’s Grand Parade, the People’s Parade will see 8000 people passenger duty on long haul flights, from across the world take a 2.5km route past some of Ireland’s most his- meaning that from next Jan clients toric landmarks, while being cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of leaving from anywhere in Ireland will spectators lining the streets. avoid paying the tax which the UK “The People’s Parade is a wonderful example of what The Gathering Ireland increased this year. The Republic of 2013 is all about: inviting our friends, families and connections from over- Ireland was already proving a popu- seas to celebrate with us,” says Gathering project director Jim Miley. lar option with Kiwis looking to head Places in the parade are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, see home without paying the much- stpatricksfestival.ie maligned tax, says Tourism Ireland’s Darragh Walshe.

Travel Today, November 2012 Page 2 The Gathering

Become A Specialist The Gathering: An With the spotlight on Ireland, now is the perfect time for agents to brush up on their Irish knowledge by becoming Event For Everyone a Shamrock agent. By joining up, agents can showcase their knowledge and get rewarded for their efforts, says Tourism Ireland. To sign up, see shamrockagents.co.nz

Who You Gonna Call? Agents with Gathering related questions should start with local Tourism Ireland reps Darragh Walshe and Mary Galway—and here’s proof of their credentials; “It’s THE GATHERING all of next year Throughout Ireland!” we shout, Just A Taste loud and clear. With over 960 gatherings (and There’ll be pleasures for all… counting) already lined up, Tour- From surfing to campervans, left-handers to redheads, rugby to chess, So please give us a call weaving to walking, and endless music and dance—the Irish have dis- ism Ireland’s Kiwi office has picked And let Mary G tickle your ear. out a few of their highlights to give played their typical quirky style in thinking up hundreds of events to Phone 0-9-977-2255 or e-mail entertain visitors to The Gathering Ireland 2013. agents a taste of what’s on. They [email protected] include: It’s the perfect year for clients to really length and breadth of the country. • Left Hand Festival, 09-13 Aug, get out and explore every corner of Ireland’s roads are simple to navigate Mullingar. This festival invites left Ireland, with events on for the entire and once clients have an idea of the Eire In EK Kiwi Top 10 handers from around the world main events or gatherings they want Dublin is now in Emirates’ 10 for five days of fun and com- to visit, it’s easy to veer off and check top-selling destinations from New petition including Left Handed out (or stumble upon) a few of the Zealand, and local airline manager Golf, Left Handed Champion smaller events along the way. Chris Lethbridge says The Gathering of Ireland and visits from a few The party kicks off with a bang at NYE 2013 give Kiwis literally hundreds of famous lefties. Dublin, a three-day event with street reasons to visit. “Demand for Europe • Irish Red Head Convention, 24 performances, theatre, art, markets, and Ireland is strong and next year’s Aug, Crosshaven. Gingers of the entertainment, fireworks, 3D building gathering events create the perfect world unite for a day of freckle projections and a giant brunch on opportunity for agents to sell Ire- counting, carrot-tossing, ginger Imagine a year full New Year’s morning. land,” he says. “Europe is still popular, chef cook-offs and Best Wannabe From then the options are endless— but travel plans are changing. Desti- of gatherings, festivals Redhead award. whether your client is after sport, mu- nations such as Ireland are benefiting and events in one • Irish Bog Snorkelling Com- sic, dance, gardening, movies or food. from those changes.” destination – petitions, 15 Sep, Castleblaney. the Gem of Europe Bog snorkelling sees contestants swim through a bog in snor- kels and flippers. Guaranteed to raise a chuckle. • Twin Fest, 24 Aug, Keash. Twin Fest invites twins, triplets, quads and their families to meet and share stories, with competitions and entertainment. • Seas Sessions, 28 Jun, Bundoran. An already popular seaside fes- tival for music and surf lovers, the festival has big plans for 2013 and will feature top international music acts against the backdrop of Ireland’s beautiful West Coast. Create Your Client’s Perfect Itinerary • Love the Loom, year-round, Foxford, County Mayo. Foxford Tourism Ireland has created an interactive map which shows where all the Wollen Mills is inviting visitors to events in the country are on, making it easy to put together an itinerary weave a thread on a special Gath- based on exactly what a client wants to see. Once you’ve pinned down the ering Ireland 2013 hand loom to main attractions, have a look around and see what other quirky festivals or create a piece of cloth—and a family gatherings you can send them to. The map and list of gatherings is at piece of history. thegatheringireland.com/attend-a-gathering.aspx

Travel Today, November 2012 Page 3 The Gathering

Agents Get Rhyming Is Your Client’s Tourism Ireland got agents into the spirit of The Gathering with a limerick contest recently—and Clan Gathering? the winning group came up with the following rhyme about the O’Toole clan; There’s a clan by the name of O’Toole And that in itself is quite cool So be at their Gathering Next year when it’s happening If you don’t you’re a fecking* great fool! Tracing Your Roots A programme which looks to help *apologies to Mrs Brown Ireland’s returning Diaspora find the parishes, homesteads and Search For Your Clan gravestones connected to their Clients can search for their surname, family has partnered with The or ancestor’s surname, at The Gather- Gathering. ing website. Gatherings related to Communities throughout Ireland Have you got a client named to experience the country’s famous their name will be listed, including have been actively looking to Aylward, Kilcooly O’Connor, hospitality (especially for first-time information on how to contact or- trace their descendants through McElwaine, O’Tierney, Coogan or visitors) than being welcomed by ganisers and how to get there. See the Ireland Reaching Out pro- McMenamin? extended family? thegatheringireland.com gramme (Ireland XO). They’re among the Irish clans seek- Over 70 million people globally The programme’s website has ing out their Kiwi kin and inviting claim Irish ancestry—a massive Heritage Certificate a profile of every parish in the them home next year for family number considering there are just Anyone born overseas who has an country and works with them to gatherings—and what better way 5.6 million people now living in Irish ancestor can apply for a Certifi- help connect with their Diaspora Ireland—and a key aspect of The cate of Irish Heritage —and Tourism worldwide. It has been training Gathering Ireland 2013 is the oppor- Ireland has negotiated a special rate volunteers in parishes across the tunity to welcome home family that for Kiwi travel agents. country to help guide visitors to has scattered all over the world. The certificate gives official recog- places of interest including family Around a fifth of Kiwis claim Irish nition by the Irish Government of homesteads, grave stones or land ancestry, and a quick search for ‘New individuals with an ancestral link connected to their families. Zealand’ on The Gathering’s website to Ireland, and shows the name of Clients can leave queries on the shows 133 related gatherings, so the recipient and one or two of their site which will be responded to by there are plenty of opportunities to ancestors. A limited edition Gather- the volunteers, to help link them Imagine a get clients with an interest in their ing Certificate has also been created, to ancestral homes. celebration of all heritage excited about returning which will be given to 300-500 ‘out- “Most communities in Ireland standing people’ of Irish descent and things Irish and home. have locals who are happy to an- Family-focused events generally will include the parish or town as swer a query from the Diaspora of Ireland itself take place over a day or two at a his- well as the county. Recipients must be of their parish. By engaging with torical family property and knowing willing to be interviewed about their these volunteers, Ireland XO is the Irish, there is sure to be plenty Irish heritage, family and any trips to building an invaluable national of music and partying as well as the Ireland. See heritagecertificate.com infrastructure that we hope will chance to meet relatives clients may Kiwi agents can apply for a regular drive tourism and energy into never have known existed. certificate for EUR20 (usually EUR45), every community,” says Ireland email [email protected] XO founder Mike Feerick. Genealogy Event See irelandxo.com For clients with an interest in their family history, the Back to our Past Not Just Families Festival of Genealogy is on in Dub- Keep in mind that it isn’t just families lin on 18-20 Oct as part of The Gath- who are organising get-togethers ering Ireland 2013. Exhibitors range for The Gathering—businesses are from international genealogical inviting back alumni, and groups companies to record repositories, like Scouting Ireland are hoping heritage magazines and family his- their overseas members will join tory societies; two streams of lec- them for festivities. There’s a group tures will run throughout the three of female veterinarians getting to- days (talks won’t just cover family Pictured above is New Zealand Rose gether in Roscommon, and the 19th history) and there will be plenty of of Tralee Alana Marshall receiving Infantry Battalion FCA, which has experts including Eric Knowles her heritage certificate from former former members in New Zealand, is Irish rugby player Dick Spring on the of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. attempting to get the battalion back Sky Walk platform at Croke Park. See backtoourpast.com together for the first time.

Travel Today, November 2012 Page 4 The Gathering

Police And Fire Games : The City Fire fighters and law enforcement officers from around the world will converge in Northern Ireland when it For Culture In 2013 hosts the World Police and Fire Games from 01-10 Aug. Around 25,000 visi- tors are expected for the games, which will see 57 sports on at 40 venues. On 11 Aug County Fermanagh will hold the Blue Light Challenge incorporat- ing golf, fishing and multi-disciplinary athletics. See 2013wpfg.com Motorbike Festival The Vauxhall International 2013 North West 200 is a week-long festival of road racing, live entertainment and music from 12-18 May, set on the New At Giant’s Causeway Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland. A number of attractions around See northwest200.org Ireland began preparing some time ago for the expected influx of extra New Titanic Centre visitors next year, including the pop- While a big focus for Ireland next was the announcement in 2010 that Titanic Belfast opened this year as part ular Giant’s Causeway on Northern year is The Gathering, there is Derry-Londonderry would be desig- of commemorations for the 100th an- Ireland’s north Antrim coast. Part of plenty else on in the country which nated the UK City of Culture in 2013. niversary of the Titanic. Visitors to a GBP18.5 million investment in the isn’t linked to the year-long party The city will put on its own year- the six-floor building learn about the Causeway included the opening in Jul that is sure to perk travellers inter- long calendar of events and cultural construction of Titanic and Northern of a new visitor centre, which tells the est, says Tourism Ireland. activities around the core themes of Ireland’s industrial and maritime story of the UNESCO World Heritage A major for the country and one of Joyous Celebration and Purposeful heritage. See titanicbelfast.com Site’s 40,000 hexagonal basalt stones its big achievements in recent years Inquiry, with big ‘cultural brands’ and the legend of Finn McCool and including the London Symphony ABs Take On Ireland Benandonner, the giants which cre- Orchestra, Royal National Ballet and The All Blacks will return to Ireland ated it during a battle. Trails and Hofesh Schechter. for their end of year tour in 2013, say pathways have been upgraded, exhi- An International Peace conference recent media reports. “This will be a bitions and audio guides added, and will be held on 17 Sep, and a big one ‘must’ tour for any Kiwi rugby sup- the new centre will now have longer for the city is the Turner Prize, 23 porter,” says TI’s Darragh Walshe. opening hours in the summer. Oct-05 Jan 2014. During Lumiere (28 Nov-01 Dec), artists, lighting de- signers and community groups will Expect dancing, transform Derry using light installa- eating, singing tions and projections. Music and dance will be a key theme, and laughing including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Derry City, which will attract up to 300,000 competitors and visitors in a week-long event of incredible music, ‘played by musicians with a grá for the Trad, dancers to thrill and singing voices to die for’, says Tourism Ireland’s Mary Galway. See 2013fleadh.ie Sporting events will incorporate everything from the paddocks to the ring and oval balls to round ones. They include Rugby Fest 01 Apr, Dublin City Of Literature Youth Gaelic Football 28 Jun, World Dublin was named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2010, recognising its many GAA Congress 22-24 Mar and Inter- literary ties, and the city has been celebrating with events and festivals ever national Basket Ball 30 Aug. since. Clients can visit the Book of Kells in Trinity College, a ninth century There will also be the usual quirky gospel manuscript, or the Dublin Writers Museum, with 300 years of books, Irish attractions, such as a Guinness letters and portraits belonging to famous Dublin writers. Events include the World Record attempt on 02 Mar in Bloomsday Festival (16 Jun) celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses; Dublin Writers Ebrington Square that will see 4,000 Festival; Mountain to Sea Book Festival; Dalkey Book Festival; Franco Irish ‘Annies’ attempt to take part in the Literary Festival; and Dublin One City One Book Festival. For those who like largest co-ordinated song and dance their books with a brew, there is an award-winning Dublin Literary Pub Crawl routine ever. which travels from pub to pub with professional actors performing the works See cityofculture2013.com of Dublin’s most famous writers, see dublinpubcrawl.com

Travel Today, November 2012 Page 5