Michigan town of Richmond 'gathers' in Ireland
Tourism Ireland welcomes residents of Richmond, Michigan, for their special Gathering
Over 180 residents of the small town of Richmond, in Michigan, flew to Ireland last week for their very own 'Gathering' – following a CIE Tours International itinerary which took in Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway. Richmond businessman Don Kurylowicz decided to organise the visit in 2013, because this is the year of The Gathering.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland's head of North America, said: "Tourism Ireland is delighted that the people of Richmond, Michigan, decided to visit Ireland in this special year of The Gathering. For many of the group, it was their first time here and they were extremely impressed by the spectacular scenery, our rich heritage, as well as by the hospitality and friendliness of the people they met. North America is an extremely important market for tourism to the island of Ireland and 2013 is shaping up to be a record year – with the latest CSO figures, to the end of September, showing North American visitor numbers up +14.6% on the same nine-month period last year.
"The Gathering has very much caught the imagination of American travellers – particularly those with Irish heritage. Since last year, The Gathering has been a major focus of all Tourism Ireland's promotions, to make Ireland a 'must visit' choice for a vacation in 2013, for both the Diaspora and non-Diaspora around the US."
Island of Ireland Media Contact
Sinead Grace
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