The following news release is from Paula Kenndy with Ireland Reaching Out and the Gathering:
SEPTEMBER 27TH 2012: Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport today announced a partnership between The Gathering Ireland 2013 and Ireland Reaching Out. The partnership will further enhance the Gathering Ireland tourist initiative that is aiming to bring 325,000 tourists to Ireland over the course of 2013.
The Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) programme is an award winning national community programme that works with parishes across Ireland to connect with their diaspora worldwide, enabling people to trace their roots to specific Irish parishes and providing a ‘Meet & Greet’ service. The Ireland XO website will provide a profile for every parish in the country, and aims to facilitate connections with some of the estimated 70 million diaspora abroad.Announcing the partnership Minister Ring said “The partnership between The Gathering Ireland 2013 and Ireland XO provides a great opportunity for the millions of people who may have a relationship with Ireland to connect to the parishes across the country. I want to thank Ireland XO founder Mike Feerick for bringing this support to The Gathering Ireland 2013 initiative.”
Ireland XO is currently identifying and training volunteers in parishes across the country who will guide returning diaspora to places of interest including family homesteads, grave stones or land connected to their families. People abroad can leave queries on the site that will be responded to by local trained volunteers, helping to link them to their ancestral homes.
Speaking at the announcement, Mike Feerick, Chairman and founder of Ireland XO said “Most communities in Ireland have local who are happy to answer a query from the diaspora of their parish. By engaging with these volunteers, Ireland XO is building an invaluable national infrastructure that we hope will drive tourism and energy into every community. We are looking forward to working closely with The Gathering Ireland 2013 and fully support this initiative”
The Gathering Ireland is encouraging people across the country to invite someone to Ireland during the course of 2013, creating gatherings across the country. Project Director Jim Miley said “Ireland XO and The Gathering Ireland have a great deal in common. Like The Gathering Ireland, Ireland XO is looking at our networks of parishes and communities, our spirit of welcoming and interest in history and creating a tangible means of connecting with those who have a connection with Ireland. We look forward to exciting and far reaching support that will touch every community in Ireland and beyond.”
For further information on how individuals or communities can get involved in Ireland XO please contact the Ireland XO community activation team at info@irelandxo.com
For further information on The Gathering Ireland 2013 or for information on how to plan a Gathering log on to www.gatheringireland.com
