The Global Irish Festival Series, which has been officially launched by the Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, will this year support Kerry County Council on An Turas Mór – The Journey Home project which will take place over the month of October.
An investment of €100,000 has been pledged and the Kerry event will feature established world class festivals such as the Dingle Food Festival and the iQuest Adventure Series.
The Festival Series, launched at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York, was attended by representatives of Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, county associations, tour operators, Irish American groups, Aer Lingus and key media personnel.
It aims to encourage diaspora to return home to visit Ireland and provides funding and support, through local authorities, for events that tap into international diaspora networks with support from Tourism Ireland.
Minister of State Brophy and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin,said the Global Irish Festival Series will take place along the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry, Mayo, Donegal and Limerick this year.
Kerry County Council Chief Executive, Moira Murrell, remarked: “It is fantastic to be part of the Global Irish Festival Series this year. We look forward to welcoming the Kerry diaspora back to enjoy the amazing programme of events planned for An Turas Mór – The Journey Home.”
Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue, said her organisation is pleased to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs once again on the annual Global Irish Festival Series after a two-year hiatus.
“The festivals and 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. This will be hugely important as we drive recovery across the tourism sector,” she remarked.
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