Up for The Gathering

This year, the Irish Government in an attempt to tackle the huge economic debt that has rendered any serious argument on behalf of a 32 county Irish Republic redundant, has launched an invite to The Irish Diaspora to return home and spend their money in Ireland.
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irish-government-launches-IrishGenealogyie---new-portal--for-searching-for-your-roots---VIDEO-200201471.html?showAll=y

Summer is always a grand time for festivals in Ireland and this year's events will be boosted with the appearance of many Irish artists such as U2, The Chieftains and Van The Man.

However, the idea has rankled some, including Irish native and actor Gabriel Byrne who said that most Irish “don’t give a sh*t about the Diaspora except to shake them down for a few quid.”
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Gabriel-Byrne-again-slams-The-Gathering-and-Arthurs-Day-181990811.html#ixzz2OtLh8p8C 

Others including Liam Neeson and Pearce Brosnan have allowed their names to be used to promote the idea, saying that it is an opportunity to show the world what it really like to be Irish.  http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Liam-Neeson-and-Pierce-Brosnan-to-spearhead-tourism-drive-ahead-of-The-Gathering-143296016.html

I sympathize with Gabriel Byrne's comments because of personal experience.  In my youthful years in Belfast, I saw many an Irish Government in Dublin bury their heads while fellow Irishmen a hundred miles up the road in the northern part of the country were killed, tortured, brutalized and interned without trial by our friendly next door neighbor across the Irish sea.

So, it is with a sense of cynicism that I view their outreach and sudden concern for the Irish Diaspora when they couldn't give a toss about Irish citizens just a few years ago.

On the other hand, anything that showcases the beauty, language, music and culture of All Ireland in contrast to the drunken, stereotypical portrayal of Irishness on St Patrick's Day is to be welcomed and supported.