Tourism push gathers support

Gabriel Byrne and Michael O’Leary may not be fans, but the number of projects signing up for a major tourism initiative next year is gathering speed.

The Gathering 2013, an open invitation to the rest of the world to visit here during a year-long celebration of all things Irish, has been reinforced with the confirmation of more than 1,700 festivals and events.

A range of events to coincide with The Gathering were announced yesterday and estimated to attract an extra 80,000 overseas visitors next year.