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The Gathering 2013 aims to be the biggest tourism event ever held in Ireland. A calendar of significant festivals and events will take place throughout the year, and the goal is to foster a multitude of grass-roots events around these festivals. The calendar of events includes:

• News Year's Eve Festival
• St Patrick's Festival
• love: live music, International Music Day
• An International Harvest Gathering - a celebration of Irish food

Fáilte Ireland's call for 2013 Festival & Events funding applications will issue much earlier this year in order to populate the Gathering Ireland 2013 calendar.

For those interested in setting up their own event, the website

provides online supports and ideas, including examples of local The Gathering events underway.

MerrionStreet.ie spoke to some of those involved at the launch of The Gathering in Dublin Castle...