The Gathering gathers momentum

Detailed plans about 'The Gathering' are gaining momentum in Cavan, according to County Manager Jack Keys. Now that the highly successful 'Taste of Cavan' event is out of the way, the big focus is now on driving the Gathering initiative within the county. "We have had a number of internal meetings in the Council already and a meeting is planned for the 19th November to check the progress in relation to the various projects that were initially proposed. We are also revealing details for a small grant scheme for some smaller festivals. This may be of interest to groups running local festivals and thinking of orientating their 2013 activities towards the gathering". Mr Keyes says that by the end of November this year, they hope to have finalised a calendar of events for next year. "So all Development Associations and Community Organisations who are thinking of doing something for the gathering, are urged to immediately to finalise their plans in so far as they can and lets us know what those plans are and what events they are hoping will take place in their communities. "We have had a very good response from all over the county and there are a number of very interesting projects evolving and we will be in a position in a few weeks to publish a list of activities we hope to see taking place in the county", said Mr Keyes. There will be an event in the Slieve Russell Hotel on the 15th November, at which details will be given as to how people might get in contact with Diaspora from their area. The staff of Cavan County Council are available to offer any advice and offer support as far as they can to individual communities. "Obviously the drive has to come from each individual community. We are very happy to-date with the response," said Mr Keyes. When asked what was his view of Gabriel Byrne's reported branding of the Government's Gathering 2013 tourism drive as a 'scam", Mr Keyes said: "We live in a time, I suppose, of negativity, and I would not pay too much attention to it, to be honest".