A major tourism initiative aimed at enticing the Irish diaspora to return home to visit is set to be expanded next year, Failte Ireland has confirmed. The Global Irish Festival Series, which was piloted along the Wild Atlantic Way in October, will be doubled in size in 2019 with the aim of expanding it to every county in the next four years. A joint initiative between the tourism body and the Department of Foreign Affairs, it aims to encourage the diaspora to reconnect with Ireland by attending festivals in their home counties. Product development director Orla Carroll said the series offers the perfect reason for the diaspora to come home and visit. In 2017, more than 200,000 overseas visitors attended festivals in Ireland generating €108 million to the economy.

Source: Irish Examiner December 25, 2018 11:26 UTC