MAYOR James Collins visited New York last week for the launch of the new Global Irish Festival Series, at an event organised by Tourism Ireland in New York in partnership with the Consulate General of Ireland.
This new initiative is designed to encourage people with Irish roots, and those who simply enjoy Irish culture, to come home and celebrate what it means to be Irish.
A joint initiative between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Fáilte Ireland, the series will be piloted in Limerick and Donegal this October. Events will include the Richard Harris International Film festival and I.NY, which explores the breadth and depth of the connection between Ireland and New York.
Irish Consul General Ciaran Madden believes the Global Irish Festival series offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what it means to be Irish.
“Culture is an enormous part of Irish identity and the projection of that identity globally. As a nation, we are renowned for our writers, actors and artists, so what better way to connect with the warm heart of Ireland than by attending some of these festivals to enjoy the very finest traditional and contemporary culture and heritage that Ireland has to offer,” he said.
Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue said the events supported through the series will help drive tourism to specific locations, including regional areas outside of current hotspots, creating new economic benefits for local communities.
“As these events take place in the ‘shoulder seasons’ each side of summer, they will also help tourism operators to trade for longer,” she explained.
