Gathering community meetings continue

24 July 2012

Leitrim, Cavan, Carlow and Meath learn all about The Gathering

The Gathering Community Meetings are continuing across the country, with meetings taking place in Leitrim, Cavan Town, Carlow and Meath recently.

Television presenter, Kathryn Thomas, was on hand in Leighlinbridge, Carlow, to MC the event, which was facilitated by the Carlow Gathering Steering Group with the support of The Gathering Team.

Speaking about The Gathering, and the importance of tourism in Ireland, Kathryn Thomas emphasised –

“Through my work with No Frontiers, I’ve become passionate about tourism initiatives as I have seen how crucial tourism is to economies. I particularly love to be involved with anything Carlow Tourism is doing as I’m very proud of Carlow. Landlocked counties such as Carlow tend not to be the ‘jewels in the crown’ but tonight’s meeting has shown that the people of Carlow have some great ideas and the county has a lot to offer as part of the Gathering. I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

This first series of Gathering Community Meetings began in June and Jim Miley, Project Director of The Gathering Ireland 2013 explained how this first series of community meetings is progressing - 

“We are delighted with the progress being made at the community meetings. They are all about getting informing local communities about The Gathering initiative and empowering them to get on board. We are witnessing a high level of interest at these meetings, but the exciting part is the appetite at community level to actively get involved in The Gathering.

"Commitments to organise gatherings for next year are being made – for example Carlow town are planning to host a year-long calendar of festivities for its 800th birthday next year, Meath are talking about hosting a gathering of  people from across the world with names associated  with the High Kings and Cavan are planning a celebration of the 66^th anniversary of the 1947 All Ireland final when Cavan beat Kerry".

A number of meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks, with further plans for up to 100 more in September and October.