Kehoe delighted with enthusiasm for The Gathering in County Wexford

MINISTER Paul Kehoe TD is delighted with Wexford’s high level of participation in The Gathering as 59 different events have been offered funding for 2013 tourism drive.

Wexford’s flagship events for the year of the Gathering are the JFK Homecoming in New Ross, the Commodore Barry Festival in Wexford and the Gathering of Lighthouse Keepers at Hook Lighthouse. A total of 56 other events in County Wexford have been offered support under the Local Community Fund.

Speaking following the announcement from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Minister Kehoe said:

“I am confident that The Gathering will provide a significant boost to County Wexford tourism for the remainder of the year. I am delighted with the level of interest from local communities in Wexford that have embraced the concept. I’m very impressed with some of the imagination that has gone into these events.

“Wexford is ideally located for domestic tourism and those visiting from the UK, one of our largest markets. I am aware that Wexford hoteliers and those in the hospitality sector have pledged their support to the Gathering and they are set to benefit from the project. The Gathering is an opportunity for Wexford to advertise itself as a holiday destination and attract repeat visitors.

“The Gathering is one of a number of initiatives that this Government has introduced to boost our visitor number and provide assistance to the hospitality sector. The reduction of the rate of VAT to 9.5% for the industry has already helped to maintain and create jobs in hotels and restaurants across the country.

“I would also like to acknowledge the philanthropic donation of €1 million by IPB insurance that will help fund events across the country and I would encourage everyone to get behind the Gathering events in their locality”.