merrion street

Alltech, the leading global animal health and nutrition firm has confirmed that it will host a total of eight international events in Ireland this year, welcoming up to 3,000 additional overseas visitors as part of the Gathering Ireland 2013. In conjunction with the JFK trust in New Ross, Co. Wexford, the company will also provide support to the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland.

Alltech was founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, a Dundalk native now based in the U.S. and has offices and distributors in 128 countries with a European headquarters based in Dunboyne, Co. Meath. A participant in the 2009 and 2011 Global Irish Economic Forums, Dr. Lyons committed to holding the series of Alltech Gatherings in Ireland this year in an effort to support and celebrate the Gathering Ireland 2013.

Welcoming Alltech's initiative, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

This is what the Gathering 2013 is all about. This very commendable initiative from Alltech highlights the brilliant opportunity offered by this year-long festival for many different types of events which can really benefit Ireland, not only in the year of the Gathering but in the longer term, by showing the world what a great location Ireland is for tourism, for heritage, for the agri-food industry and for business in general.

Dr. Lyons said:

As a proud Irish man I am going to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the Gathering. I plan to bring our top events and people from all over the world to Ireland, where we can celebrate the Irish tradition of international commerce and trade, and highlight the enormous potential that resides in Ireland. Like any Irish person who works abroad, I am intensely proud of my home, of its unique identity and its rich history, but most of all, I am proud of its people and of what we have, and still can, achieve.