The document discusses Ireland's "Gathering 2013" initiative to attract overseas visitors. Key points include: 1) The Gathering aimed to attract 325,000 overseas visitors and generate €170 million in tourism revenue, taking inspiration from Scotland's "Homecoming 2009". 2) Nationwide registrations totaled over 3,600, with Wicklow having 90 registrations. Visitor numbers increased over 7% nationwide compared to the same period in 2012. 3) Various grants were awarded to fund Gathering events across counties, with Wicklow projects receiving €25,000 and €30,000 from two different funds. 4) The document outlines events planned for Wicklow in 2013 as part of the Gather

1. Gathering 2013 – Wicklow
www.thegatheringireland.com

2. Targets
• 325,000 overseas visitors nationally
• €170 million in tourist revenue
• - Concept came from Scotland’s
“Homecoming 2009” year of festivities.
Homecoming 2014 now being planned

3. Stats
• Nationally, 3,643 registered
• Wicklow 90
• Kildare 81
• Carlow 51
• Wexford 103
• Meath 104
• Dublin 657

4. Comparing Visits Jan – March 2012 with
2013 (Failte Ireland data)
• Nationally +7.4% (1.25 million visits in total)
• North America +16.7% (168,000)
• Great Britain +1.4% (570,300)
• Mainland Europe + 13% (444,000), including
France +27%, Nordics +31%, Benelux +10%,
Germany +10%
• Rest of world +5.4% (68,700)

5. Grant Aid
• IPB Flagship Funding - €1m nationally
€25,000 for 3 county Wicklow projects
• Canada Come Home - €10,000 –Sept 13-15
• Hollywood Fair - €8,000 – August 16 -18
• Greystones Arts Festival - €7,000 – May 31– June 2
• Following application process in November / December,
50% was awarded in February and 50% to be awarded
after the event, subject to fulfilling criteria – 20 visits /
€1,000 awarded

6. • Gathering Ireland Community Grants
• €1 million nationally, €30,000 to Wicklow
• 27 projects awarded amounts ranging
from €2,500 and €500
• 50% awarded in February and 50% to be awarded after
the event, subject to fulfilling criteria
• Main emphasis is on bringing people from abroad
€1,000

7. Wicklow
• Open evening held at Glendalough Hotel in July
2012
• 100+ attended
• Direction given on how to organise Gatherings
• Number of events proposed and discussed
• Gathering Ireland have provided training on
social media + PR training

8. Then & Now Postcard Project
• Public Libraries initiative, led by Wicklow
• 6 contemporary and historical images
• Send to friends and relations abroad
• Launched October 2012

9. Wicklow County Council
• €10,000 fund adopted in 2013 Estimates
• Used for promoting events
• 50,000 booklets produced and distributed
• Social media promotion

10. Wicklow Gathering Steering Group
• Members include a combination of Co
Cllrs, Co Co staff + outside agencies
• Monthly meeting – attended by Failte
Ireland
• Monthly slot on Declan Meehan Show

11. Social Media
• www.facebook.com/CountyWicklowGathering
• Stenna competition to run to end of July
• Appointments re promoting facebook page
• Amount of €10+ per day, during May, to be
expended on targeting areas of UK re county
Wicklow (review at end of May)

12. Online traffic
• 657,000 visits to Gathering website
• Facebook page has 72,425 likes
• Twitter 18,209 followers

13. What’s on in Wicklow in 2013?
• Avoca Welcome Home – May 23 -30
• Greystones Arts Festival – May 31 – June 2
• Balto Ballon Festival – June 21 - 23
• Hints of History, Russborough – July 6 - 7
• Bray Summer Fest (all summer long!!!!!!)
• Knockanstockan Independent Music Festival - July 26 - 28
• Hollywood Fair - August 16 - 18
• Bray Bridge Gathering - August 31 – September 1
• Canada Come Home - September 13 - 15
• Glens of Lead – October 17 - 19