The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative has attracted approximately 10,000 international visitors to County Clare, injecting up to 5 million euro into the local economy during the first six months of the year.
The Gathering Clare Steering Group, which is coordinating 168 events and festivals throughout the County, expects the end of year visitor figure to exceed the 20,000 projected at the beginning of 2013.
The announcement of visitor numbers was made at the launch of a Gathering Clare Festivals & Events booklet for July to December 2013 today. The booklet is being made available at tourist offices, hotels, Council offices and Libraries throughout the County to promote the dozens of events scheduled to take place during the second half of the year.
Amongst some of the key events held during the first six months of 2013 was the Bunratty International Chess Festival, The Burren Tolkien Society Festival, Kilfenora Music Festival, International Junior Tour of Ireland, Festival of Finn, Russell Memorial Weekend, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival and the Gathering the Scattering Family History Conference, which were collectively attended by more than 1,500 overseas visitors.
“We are delighted with the success of the Gathering which has brought huge economic benefits to communities across the County,” explained Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordinator.
She added: “Communities in every corner of Clare have thoroughly embraced the Gathering initiative and we are glad to say that the quality of festivals and events is excellent. Recent visitor figures released by the CSO reflect the contribution made by the Gathering to the wider tourism sector. This is evidenced by the 10% increase (404,535 overall) in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, almost a quarter of the 5750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas.”
Some of the Gathering highlights for July include Dance on the Shannon (10-17th), Currach Regatta in Kilbaha (14th), OAIM Irish Music Retreats (Fiddle) in Liscannor (14-19th), The Kilkee & Loophead Maritime Festival (19-21st), McGrath Clan History & Origins in Clarecastle (20th), Clarecastle Village Gathering (12-22nd), Celtic Spiritual Awakening in Bunratty (21-28th), The Doonbeg Gathering (22-29th), and the South East Clare Agricultural Show in Bridgetown (28th).
Other events taking place during the remainder of the year include Therapeutic effects of Irish Set Dancing in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle (5-11 Aug), St. Patrick's Comprehensive 30 Year School Reunion in Shannon (10 Aug), Tulla Week Of Welcomes (17-25 Aug), Doolin Irish Craft Beer & Food Festival and Dan Furey Weekend in Labasheeda (23 – 25 Aug), Clare New York Association 125th Anniversary in Ennis (26-29th Aug), Spanish Point Airfield 'Fly In' (31 Aug - 1 Sep), Clare Shout Festival, Kilkishen (13 – 15 Sep), Ennis Fringe Festival (20-22nd Sep), Mountshannon Trad Festival (27-29 Sep) and the Killaloe Ballina 2014 Commemoration Gathering (22 Oct), Centenary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Inis (18 – 24 Nov).
For more on The Gathering Clare visit www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
The Gathering Clare Steering Group, which is coordinating 168 events and festivals throughout the County, expects the end of year visitor figure to exceed the 20,000 projected at the beginning of 2013.
The announcement of visitor numbers was made at the launch of a Gathering Clare Festivals & Events booklet for July to December 2013 today. The booklet is being made available at tourist offices, hotels, Council offices and Libraries throughout the County to promote the dozens of events scheduled to take place during the second half of the year.
Amongst some of the key events held during the first six months of 2013 was the Bunratty International Chess Festival, The Burren Tolkien Society Festival, Kilfenora Music Festival, International Junior Tour of Ireland, Festival of Finn, Russell Memorial Weekend, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival and the Gathering the Scattering Family History Conference, which were collectively attended by more than 1,500 overseas visitors.
“We are delighted with the success of the Gathering which has brought huge economic benefits to communities across the County,” explained Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordinator.
She added: “Communities in every corner of Clare have thoroughly embraced the Gathering initiative and we are glad to say that the quality of festivals and events is excellent. Recent visitor figures released by the CSO reflect the contribution made by the Gathering to the wider tourism sector. This is evidenced by the 10% increase (404,535 overall) in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, almost a quarter of the 5750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas.”
Some of the Gathering highlights for July include Dance on the Shannon (10-17th), Currach Regatta in Kilbaha (14th), OAIM Irish Music Retreats (Fiddle) in Liscannor (14-19th), The Kilkee & Loophead Maritime Festival (19-21st), McGrath Clan History & Origins in Clarecastle (20th), Clarecastle Village Gathering (12-22nd), Celtic Spiritual Awakening in Bunratty (21-28th), The Doonbeg Gathering (22-29th), and the South East Clare Agricultural Show in Bridgetown (28th).
Other events taking place during the remainder of the year include Therapeutic effects of Irish Set Dancing in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Conference in Feakle (5-11 Aug), St. Patrick's Comprehensive 30 Year School Reunion in Shannon (10 Aug), Tulla Week Of Welcomes (17-25 Aug), Doolin Irish Craft Beer & Food Festival and Dan Furey Weekend in Labasheeda (23 – 25 Aug), Clare New York Association 125th Anniversary in Ennis (26-29th Aug), Spanish Point Airfield 'Fly In' (31 Aug - 1 Sep), Clare Shout Festival, Kilkishen (13 – 15 Sep), Ennis Fringe Festival (20-22nd Sep), Mountshannon Trad Festival (27-29 Sep) and the Killaloe Ballina 2014 Commemoration Gathering (22 Oct), Centenary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Inis (18 – 24 Nov).
For more on The Gathering Clare visit www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.
