Ancient land of saints and scholars, the Emerald Isle casts a magic spell with its uniquely green landscapes, centuries-old cities and soaring sea cliffs. While less enchanting times past contributed to the diaspora of some 70 million people, home for the Irish is always in the heart, which is the siren call of The Gathering 2013, a year-long Tourism Ireland-led invitation for people of Irish ancestry to come home.
Nearly 40 million Irish emigrants settled in the U.S., with another 4.7 million in Canada. With the U.S. behind only the U.K. in visitor arrivals, Tourism Ireland wants to attract even more leisure and business tourism from North America.
“With world-class MICE infrastructure in place, Ireland has a proven track record of hosting high-profile international conferences in sectors including medicine, science, technology, education, law and now, analytics,” says Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s new executive vice president for the U.S. and Canada. “Our rich heritage, welcoming culture, easy access and top-class facilities are key reasons why more and more international associations and businesses are choosing Ireland for their conferences, meetings and events.”
Enhanced airlift is one advantage, with nine direct U.S. gateway cities including Chicago, and eight cities along the Eastern Seaboard from Orlando to Boston. Ireland’s fast-growing economy is also a magnet for investment and international headquartering.
According to Ireland’s Department of Finance, “93 percent of overseas companies rate their investment in Ireland a success.” The same positive returns await groups in Ireland, where the greeting is “cead mile failte” (a hundred thousand welcomes) and any time is a great time to gather. PageBreak
Republic of Ireland
Like Ireland itself, historic Dublin combines tradition with a youthful spirit.
Offering 20,000 hotel rooms, the republic’s capital is home to Ireland’s two largest hotels, the 500-room Burlington and the 774-room City West Hotel, each with generous meeting space. On the city’s outskirts, the historic Kildare Hotel, Spa & Country Club, or K-Club, was voted one the “best hotels in the world for 2013” by readers of Travel + Leisure.
“As accessible as many North American cities, Dublin has direct flights from nine U.S. airports and pre-clearance for U.S. travelers returning home,” says Sam Johnston, business tourism executive for the Dublin Convention Bureau, which MICE Report named Europe’s “Best City Convention Bureau” for 2013. “Add our extensive services, the reclaim of VAT, and Dublin itself, and great attendance is ensured.”
Set on 42 acres, the centrally located Royal Dublin Society can accommodate up to 6,500 conferees in its largest single space, while Convention Centre Dublin can host up to 8,000 delegates. Dublin’s many attractions include Christchurch Cathedral, the National Gallery of Art, and the Abbey, Ireland’s national theatre.
In southern Ireland, Cork’s blossoming as a highly educated, entrepreneurial economic center has inspired growth in its conferencing and event market, which combined with rich cultural, culinary and outdoor offerings, makes it the classic business-pleasure destination.
“Cork is Europe’s best-kept secret,” says Evelyn O’Sullivan, business tourism manager for the Cork Convention Bureau. “With capacity for up to 1,000 delegates in our City Hall and ample accommodations, Cork is the perfect choice for groups.”
Straightforward connections from the U.S. bring travelers into Cork International Airport, just 15 minutes from the city center. Within easy reach of 700 miles of coastline, Cork is home to the 700-room Silver Springs Moran Hotel, one of Ireland’s largest conference venues. Southwest of Cork, charming Kinsale is considered the country’s “Gourmet Capital.”
Ancient Limerick, the capital of Ireland’s scenic Shannon Region and accessible via Shannon International Airport, is an alluring riverside draw. The city’s largest conference-capable property is the 600-room Strand Hotel, complemented by large-scale venues at the University of Limerick and Thomond Park.
The region’s dynamic landscapes include the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO World Geopark. In picturesque Adare, the 840-acre Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is one of Ireland’s leading castle properties, featuring conference space for groups of up to 250.
In southwestern Ireland, County Kerry is a premier conference and incentive travel destination, featuring the popular Ring of Kerry scenic trail. Dating to the 7th century, Killarney is the region’s principal base, with the celebrated Victorian-era Malton House hotel hosting large groups and the Killarney Convention Centre accommodating up to 2,500 delegates.PageBreak
Northern Ireland
Over the past decade, more than 1 billion pounds (Northern Ireland is not on the Euro) have transformed the capital city of Belfast into a vibrant meetings destination.
“From the 2,000-delegate-capacity Belfast Waterfront Convention Centre to the architecturally dazzling Titanic Belfast, where the iconic ship was built, our truly unique city offers exceptional venues for conferences and events,” says Deborah Swain, conference sales manager for the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau. “Come discover why Huffington Post named Belfast one of 15 places to visit this decade.’”
From whiskey tasting to cooking schools to golf, Belfast offers social programs as interesting as the city itself. Local meetings properties include the famed 272-room Hastings Europa Hotel, which can host 500 attendees theater-style. For gala events, the Kings Hall Complex has space for up to 1,800 partygoers.
Predating the 6th century, Derry-Londonderry is Ireland’s sole surviving completely walled city. In 2010, the city made history again when it was designated the inaugural U.K. City of Culture for 2013, which is only enhancing its growing appeal.
As Aoife Thomas, business and leisure tourism executive for the Derry Visitor & Convention Bureau explains, a number of “LegenDerry” experiences await delegates.
“For a memorable gala dinner, try the iconic Guildhall or historic St. Columbs Hall, both fresh off multimillion-pound transformations,” Thomas says. “Our flagship conference venue, the Millennium Forum, can accommodate 1,000 in its main auditorium, while the Irish-themed ‘Craft Village’ is a quirky choice for welcome receptions.”
Meetings-capable properties include two four-star choices, the 158-room City Hotel, which recently added 12 luxury suites, and the 64-room Hastings Everglades.
When in Dublin, regular Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heil-man “re-Joyces” at the Brazen Head, the city’s oldest pub (est. 1198), Paddy Flaherty’s (The 51, locally), and hilltop Johnnie Fox’s (est. 1798) outside of town.
