Local Steering Committee to hold Community Meeting for The Gathering Ireland 2013
Monaghan will host a Community Meeting in advance of The Gathering Ireland 2013, the national tourism initiative launched earlier this year by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. A special Community Meeting will take place in The Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney on Wednesday 25th July at 7.00pm.
All are welcome to attend the meeting which will offer an opportunity for local people to learn more about ‘The Gathering’ and how they can be involved. Anyone with ideas for a ‘Gathering’ can pledge them online after the meeting. They will also be able to access tools and supports online to help them to organise their Gatherings.
Jim Miley, Project Director of The Gathering Ireland 2013, has urged Monaghan locals to attend Wednesday’s meeting, saying:
“The Gathering Ireland 2013 is a people’s project. It’s all about you, your family, your neighbours, your sports club, your college, your place of work – in fact, whatever community or group you belong to – planning special events in 2013 that will highlight what is great about your town and county. I know the people of Monaghan have a great spirit and some wonderful suggestions for Gatherings. We’re looking forward to hearing all of your ideas.”
Wednesday’s meeting is organised by the Monaghan Gathering Steering Committee, led by Acting County Manager, David Fallon, Monaghan County Council. Announcing plans for the meeting, Mr. Fallon said:
“By calling this meeting, we’re asking everyone in Monaghan to get involved in the Gathering in 2013. This is an exciting opportunity for each and every one of us to play our part in showing what is best about our County and our people. We have some great networks and ideas here as to how we can reach out to our friends and loved ones overseas and invite them home next year. 2013 is going to be an incredible year in Ireland and we want Monaghan to be part of it.”
Gathering Community Meetings will be held throughout Ireland in the year ahead. Local Gathering organisations are being set up in every county, comprising sporting bodies, cultural and musical organisations, local authorities, and local development companies and representative bodies.
Community projects already underway throughout Ireland include clan gatherings, genealogical projects, school reunions, twin-town visits and an outreach initiative where local communities will contact people who have left the country. Some unique gatherings that are taking place:
- Islanders on Valentia, off the coast of Kerry, will invite those who have lived, worked or visited the island to return for a weekend of reminiscing, storytelling, renewing old friendships and making new ones; celebrating the contribution of many to Valentia and inviting new visitors to the island to learn about island life through decades past.
- The people of Foxford, Co Mayo will be inviting family, friends and visitors to spin a yarn in a large tapestry on a traditional loom in, Co Mayo.
- Celebrating its 400th anniversary in the year of the Gathering, Carrick-on-Shannon will invite all Leitrim people who have moved away from the county to return and gather to join the festivities in 2013.
The Gathering 2013 continues to gain momentum with a number of well-known Irish personalities pledging their support, including Maeve Binchy, Liam Neeson and Paul O’Connell. A large number of companies and organisations have already got involved including Google and Facebook, while KPMG and PwC have confirmed they will hold their international alumni events in Ireland, bringing 1,000 international visitors.
For further information visit www.thegatheringireland.com.
