Gathering storm: Byrne brings home truth

GABRIEL Byrne hit a nerve last week with a few home truths.

The actor spoke on Monday about the wheeze known as ‘the Gathering’. He was being interviewed by Matt Cooper on Today FM, which was broadcasting from New York in the week of the US elections.

Byrne, who served for a few years as a cultural ambassador, was asked for his view of ‘the Gathering’. This is a major marketing drive to attract Irish people, known collectively as ‘the diaspora’, to return to this country next year where a range of activities are being laid on to celebrate Irishness, whatever that is.