The Global Irish Festival Series, a Fáilte Ireland and Department of Foreign Affairs initiative in partnership with Local Authorities, will take place along the Wild Atlantic Way in Limerick, Mayo, Donegal and Kerry this year and aims to harness diaspora links for the benefit of local and community tourism.
A joint initiative between Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Global Irish Festival Series 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.
Following its first international launch in New York earlier this year the Global Irish Festival Series will now be showcased to the diaspora community in Great Britain with an event at the Embassy of Ireland in London, in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
The Global Irish Festival Series kicked off in Mayo last month with Home to Mayo, a series of events incorporating existing festivals which celebrated Mayo’s rich history and natural heritage.
In Donegal, Donegal Connect will take place from 23rd to 25th September offering visitors a diverse itinerary of food, genealogy, sport, business, arts and culture. Highlights include the Tipp O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards and a spectacular carnival showcase against the stunning backdrop of the Inishowen peninsula.
Limerick Global Irish Festival will take place from 16th September to 31st October and will feature the world-famous Richard Harris International Film Festival celebrating the unique talent of Richard Harris in the city where he was born and raised and showcasing the work of young filmmakers from Ireland and across the world.
Pigtown Food and Culture Series, inspired by Limerick’s world-renowned bacon industry is a 3-week celebration of themed food and cultural events, tours and trails and the annual Pigtown Parade on the streets of Limerick.
And closing the Global Irish Festival Series, An Turas Mór – The Journey Home will take place in Kerry from 1st to 31st October. Featuring established world class festivals such as the Dingle Food Festival and the iQuest Adventure Series, there is plenty on offer for all festival goers from the high-octane sport enthusiast to the foodie connoisseur. www.homecomingkerry.com.
Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said: “Tourism Ireland is pleased to be working with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs to showcase the Global Irish Festival Series to diaspora and potential holidaymakers across Great Britain.”
The island of Ireland is renowned for its vibrant culture, arts and music offering and the Global Irish Festival Series will further enhance this, providing holidaymakers in GB with the perfect motivator to book a visit to Ireland to discover, or reconnect with, the destination’s rich culture.”
Speaking about the Global Irish Festival Series, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue, said: “We are 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.”
Further details on each county’s events will be announced by the festivals over the coming months.
For more information on things to see and do on the island of Ireland visit www.ireland.com.