€5million Gathering boost for the county

The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative has attracted approximately 10,000 international visitors to Clare, injecting up to €5 million 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 earlier in the week. 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.

“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.

“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 5,750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas,” she added.

Some of The Gathering highlights for this month include Dance on the Shannon (July 10-17); Currach Regatta in Kilbaha (July 14); OAIM Irish Music Retreats (fiddle) in Liscannor (July 14-19); The Kilkee and Loophead Maritime Festival (July 19-21); McGrath Clan History and Origins in Clarecastle (July 20); Clarecastle Village Gathering (July12-22); Celtic Spiritual Awakening in Bunratty (July 21-28); The Doonbeg Gathering (July 22-29) and the South East Clare Agricultural Show in Bridgetown (July 28).

For more on The Gathering Clare, visit www.facebook.com/ClareGathering2013 or www.twitter.com/ClareGathering.