How to Be a Part of The Gathering

If you're traveling to Ireland this year I'm sure you've, by now, heard about The Gathering.

Designed to “bring home” the over 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish heritage, communities, groups and even individuals across Ireland- and even those who aren't in Ireland- are planning events.

And it's incredibly easy to be a part of it!

3 Easy Ways to Be Part of The Gathering

1.  Find a Gathering to Join

From The Gathering website you can easily search Gatherings by date, by map or by county.  If you know you will be in Limerick the first weekend of May, take a look at the events in the county, scroll down to the dates and you'll see a few options including  Fleadh by the Feale in Abbeyfeale, the Ballyhoura Food Festival and the Ballyhoura Country Walking Festival.  Click on the event box, view the information and decide if you want to attend.  You can even make it official by clicking the “attend” button and inviting friends to join you!

2.  Get in Touch With Your Irish Roots

If a trip to Erin's shores isn't on your itinerary this year, quite a few research initiatives have become available online, making it easier to find those elusive Irish ancestors.   Learn more about your history, trace those roots into the Irish soil and maybe even get the Certificate of Irish Heritage – proof positive that your ancestors hail from the auld sod.

3. Plan Your Own Gathering

It only takes 2 people to make a gathering.  And you can “add on” to an existing Gathering or create your own.  For example, I could create a Gathering of my own family celebrating our trip to Ireland in the spring to be celebrated upon arrival at the Dublin airport.  Your event can be public or private and you can make your personal Gathering page as elaborate as you wish, with logos and images, video, and links to social media.  Or I could create an Ireland With Kids Gathering, inviting anyone with kids to meet us somewhere for a play date.  The whole idea to to enjoy Ireland and everything she has to offer.

Will you take part in a Gathering- or create one of your own – this year?