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Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year's Meitheal - Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Joe Dolan (Fáilte Ireland) Charlene Boyle (CEO Fáilte Ireland) Paul Kelly Paul Keeley Patrick O'Donoghue (CEO Gleneagle Hotel Group) in Killarney to meet international tourism buyers from around the world as part of this week’s Meitheal. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Delegates and buyers in Killarney to meet international tourism buyers from around the world. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Supreme Champion Sheep dog Handler Tom O'Sullivan demonstrating his craft at Muckross Traditional Farms to International tourism buyers. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Noreen Brosnan (left) and Mary Quirke demonstrating the art of butter making at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
John Lenihan demonstrates the art of a hurling tackle with Kerry Senior Hurler Tom Doyle at Muckross Traditional Farms where international tourism buyers have been experiencing first-hand the Irish tourism product ahead of attending Meitheal. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Tom Allison from Sneem a traditional full-time blacksmith demonstrates his artistry at Muckross Traditional Farms to International tourism buyers from around the world who have been experiencing first-hand Irish tourism ahead of attending Meitheal Ireland’s most important tourism trade event. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
STEPPING IT OUT: Lisa Hegarty (left) with two of her pupils Grace O'Leary and Maeve O'Connor with musician Gretta Curtin at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
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'Buachaill’ the resident Irish Wolfhound on his best behaviour with farm labourer Tom McCarthy at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
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Joe Dolan (Fáilte Ireland) Charlene Boyle (CEO Fáilte Ireland) Paul Kelly Paul Keeley Patrick O'Donoghue (CEO Gleneagle Hotel Group) in Killarney to meet international tourism buyers from around the world as part of this week’s Meitheal. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Delegates and buyers in Killarney to meet international tourism buyers from around the world. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Supreme Champion Sheep dog Handler Tom O'Sullivan demonstrating his craft at Muckross Traditional Farms to International tourism buyers. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Noreen Brosnan (left) and Mary Quirke demonstrating the art of butter making at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
John Lenihan demonstrates the art of a hurling tackle with Kerry Senior Hurler Tom Doyle at Muckross Traditional Farms where international tourism buyers have been experiencing first-hand the Irish tourism product ahead of attending Meitheal. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
Tom Allison from Sneem a traditional full-time blacksmith demonstrates his artistry at Muckross Traditional Farms to International tourism buyers from around the world who have been experiencing first-hand Irish tourism ahead of attending Meitheal Ireland’s most important tourism trade event. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
STEPPING IT OUT: Lisa Hegarty (left) with two of her pupils Grace O'Leary and Maeve O'Connor with musician Gretta Curtin at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
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'Buachaill’ the resident Irish Wolfhound on his best behaviour with farm labourer Tom McCarthy at Muckross Traditional Farms. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
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Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that "creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism".
"Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery," he said.
News
Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]
Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.
The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.
Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.
Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.
News
Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]
Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.
The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.
Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.
Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.
She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.
“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”
In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.
In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.
last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.
During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.
This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.
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