The Gathering

W

Wishes

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Byrne needs to be commended for speaking out. I couldn't agree more.

[broken link removed]
 
It's hardly 'speaking out' I think. The whole thing is a marketing drive to get people to visit Ireland and spend money. It's wrong to call it a scam when it's plainly obvious what it is from the get-go.

There's a difference between 'connecting with the diaspora' and whatever that entails and tapping people up to come and visit the country and spend money. The former is long-term stuff the latter is the Gathering.

He's got a point alright generally but not, in my opinion, about the specifics of the 'Gathering'
 
Sure isn't all tourism really just a way of tapping people for money?
 
Its something positive,hopefully tourism numbers will ramp up meaning both tax take and employment will be up,taking the pressure off the poor ould tax payer.

Its better than doing nothing.

Not sure where this nonsense about shake downs is coming from,this isn't Baltimore USA,if you don't want to come well then... don't.

Simples.
 
So all the people who have been forced to emigrate and their children, grandchildren etc are being asked to come back and 'gather' and spend money?

We all know the government would tax them if they could get away with it, they cant, so invite them to 'The Gathering'.

Im disappointed, I thought it was something to do with Highlander.
 
truthseeker said:
Im disappointed, I thought it was something to do with Highlander.
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Thats a brilliant idea Truthseeker, bring them all back with the proviso that "there can only be one!"...fight to the death with cool swords live on TV etc etc.
I am sure there are drawbacks with this idea but I cant think of any offhand...
 
I'm surprised that people (including Gabriel Byrne) thought that the Gathering was going to be anything else other than a drive to get more tourists into the country. There is no shame in the naked pursuit of the tourist $. Of more interest is how much this Gathering is costing us. If the resulting 'money in' exceeds the 'money out' then it will have been a worthwhile venture.
 
The Gathering has a slightly ominous tone about it,for some reason it puts me in mind of a very large,silent,murder of crows all set down beside a lake,just watching and waiting,eyes glassy,their beaks crimson with blood...

It sounds like the title of an M. Night Shyamalan film.
 
I'm all for the Gathering or anything else that will give some kind of positive drive to our economy. Outside of the guffaws, I think the Gatering is a good ideal. I just hope the hoteliers, publicans etc will not lose the run of themselves and overcharge.

If the Gatering is done properly, we will have repeat customers. If not, God help us!
 
Leper said:
I just hope the hoteliers, publicans etc will not lose the run of themselves and overcharge.

If the Gatering is done properly, we will have repeat customers. If not, God help us!
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It costs a lot for a family to fly in from the USA/Canada etc. It would be nice if people could offer their 'relations' a room at the very least. How many Americans have taken in us Irish over the years with a warm American welcome.

The return the Irish economy would get from repeat business if all visitors had a great time would be manyfold.

Also Bord Failte should have a campaign agreed with hotels and restaurants offering special deals. Food and accommodation in Ireland is very expensive.
 
Leper said:
I just hope the hoteliers, publicans etc will not lose the run of themselves and overcharge.
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Yep,they certainly have previous form for killing the goose that laid the golden egg,not so sure they are able to help themselves.Then when they have no one left to gouge they moan about their overheads,drink driving laws and how tough an environment they have to operate in etc.

If you really want to see a shrine/ghetto to gouging at its best,walk through Temple Bar.
 
the hoteliers, publicians ect will do what they always do, fleece them!! the 'gathering' is simply another word for get as many irish yanks back and part them from their cash as quickly as we can. one hand around their shoulder and the other one in their pocket!
i dont have a problem with this as such, but lets call what it is, commercialism.
 
Leper said:
I'm all for the Gathering or anything else that will give some kind of positive drive to our economy. Outside of the guffaws, I think the Gatering is a good ideal. I just hope the hoteliers, publicans etc will not lose the run of themselves and overcharge.

If the Gatering is done properly, we will have repeat customers. If not, God help us!
Click to expand...

Well the is advertising this:

Gathering Golf Classic at The K Club, 14th - 18th July 2013
Play at The K Club, €475.00 per golfer
Golfers will enjoy:
4 rounds of golf at The K Club (inclusive of practice round)
Pre dinner Cocktail Party
Gala Dinner
Welcome gift
K Club Prizes

According to their , open competition is between 50 and 60 euro per golfer (depending on the day), so they are effectively charging ~200 quid for dinner. Hope its a nice meal.
 
blueband said:
the hoteliers, publicians ect will do what they always do, fleece them!!
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To be fair, any "big" event I've been to anywhere in the world I've noticed the same thing, so that's a given. Actually, regarding pubs, there is a pretty narrow range of min/max prices in say Dublin - the most you would expect to pay for a pint anywhere would be about a fiver. The same pint outside Notre Dame in Paris would break the bank.
 
What about extending voting rights to the Irish abroad?

What about better supports for emigrant centres?

The gathering is a stunt.
 
Polish nationals can vote who are working here.

Another gripe is the lack of supports to Irish citizens who are living abroad who have hit upon hard times, eg. addictions.

Government Ministers seem to fly around the globe in St. Patricks Day but seem to ignore the Irish abroad at other times.
 
Purple said:
Otherwise why should they get a vote?
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+1

I've no issue with The Gathering. It can happen, not happen, and won't impact on me or my family. I am, I consider, unusual in that I have no family living abroad. My parent's siblings all lived in Ireland. My cousins all live in Ireland, bar one who live in Spain through choice, not necessity.

Gabriel Byrne ? Yawn.
 
Yesterday I went into a rundown cafe in small country town. I ordered a piece of vegetarian lasagne with chips & a coffee. It was below average and cost €12.70 which is the equivalent of $16.

I'm not complaining about my experience, it was my own bad, and I just won't go there again. However I dread to think of all the hapless tourists that are going to get fleeced when they come here for 'the gathering'. If I were a returning emigrant it would remind me why I left in the first place.
 
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