The Irish Government launched their tourism initiative, The Gathering Ireland 2013, in Dublin Castle today. It is a year-long celebration of everything that is unique about Ireland and its people The Gathering was launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. in the company of An Tanaiste, Minister Varadkar, and Minister of State Ring. At hand to help was The King of the Gallagher's, Adrian Gallagher, who was one of five invited guests at the launch who told of their own or their organisation's events for The Gathering 2013. Mary Kennedy of RTE was the MC for the event. Gallagher told of the Gallagher Clan's 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering which takes place from the 6th - 14th September 2013 in Gortahork, Co. Donegal, Ireland. The 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering follows on from the first very successful one held in September 2007. It is expected that Gallaghers, those with Gallagher in their family tree and friends, will once again come from all over the world to the ancestral homeland of the Gallaghers, or the Uí Ghallchobhair as they are called in the original Gaelic form of the name, to join local Gallaghers in celebrating their family heritage. Already a strong interest in the event has come from all over the world including from many of those who attended the first gathering. The 2013 event will be based at Óstán Loch Altan - Hotel Loch Altan- in the village of Gortahork, Co. Donegal. It has already been launched in Australia to favourable reaction. The village of Gortahork, which is situated in a traditional Gaelic (Irish language) speaking area (though English is also spoken, has a large population of Gallaghers living in the surrounding area. A local committee has undertaken the task of organising the event and judging from past experience this will be a memorable occasion for all who partake, whether they are from abroad, from elsewhere in Ireland or from the local area. All will be given the welcome for which the people of Donegal are rightly famous and are guaranteed to experience a real "Céad mile fáilte" - a hundred thousand welcomes- to this beautiful landscape of northwest Donegal. It will be a week long festival of chat, companionship, entertainment, seminars and talks, history, genealogy and family trees, tours and much more. Our visitors will be afforded the opportunity to explore the great outdoors by way of walks and trips along the coast and through the mountains for which this area is renowned. They may also gain first- hand experience of traditional craftsmanship and enjoy the great musical tradition which has helped mould such world famous artists as Clannad, Enya, Altan and Daniel O'Donnell, to name but a few. Have no doubt but that family connections will be established and friendships formed that will continue long after the Gathering is finished and that memories of the event will never dim. Those who attend will be able to experience a culture that has survived almost unchanged for centuries and view a landscape that is timeless - all in conditions that are most definitely 21st century! It is also expected that the opportunity will arise to visit the historic city of Derry, which will be UK City of Culture at the time and meet members of the large population of Gallaghers that reside in that city and its environs. Details of the itinerary and accommodation providers will be published later and will be found on both the website www.gallagherclan.org and on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/gallagherclan.org For further information, please contact: Adrian Gallagher 087 6680593.

As part of the “Big Drive for Small Business”, AIB is inviting their SME customers to showcase their business at their local AIB Branch throughout the county. Letterkenny Chamber are currently showcasing their business at AIB Bank Letterkenny and taking the opportunity to promote the offer which the Bank is extending to AIB Business Start-up Customers in conjunction with the Chamber. This offer can provide new AIB Business Start-up customers with the support and advice they need to help them get their business up and running by giving customers access to a local business network and build sound business connections for the future. The affiliated Chamber Network is the largest Irish business network with 13,000 business members across the country. This exclusive 50% discounted membership offer is being provided to new AIB Business Start-up customers by 45 affiliated Chambers participating in this initiative. John Webb, Head of Propositions, Business Banking, AIB said: “We are particularly pleased to work on this initiative with the Chamber Network. This is a good fit for both AIB and the Chambers as both organisations have a comprehensive network throughout the country. It will provide excellent networking and business development opportunities for our Business Start-up customers who choose to avail of the offer.” This support offer is one element of the AIB Business Start-up Package which has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of new and early stage businesses. Other elements of the package include: - Special 2 year Current Account fee offer - Online banking services - 2 years free subscription to iBusiness Banking or registration to AIB Phone & Internet Banking - AIB Classic Visa Business Card - AIB Business Overdraft - SME Loan for Start-up Businesses Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive said: “2011 has already witnessed a 6% increase in business start-ups. In light of this significant growth, we are delighted to partner with AIB to support these businesses through membership of their local affiliated Chamber. These start-ups will have the prospect of joining a unique network focused on representing the interests of member companies and growing sales opportunities for all members.” This offer has been welcomed locally by John Watson, President of Letterkenny Chamber “ This represents a good deal for new businesses and for the Chamber. It enables new businesses to become full Chamber members at the stage when their business needs to be building networks and leads. It helps us increase our membership profile and gives the businesses the support they need at the early set up stage. We have already had a number of new members through this initiative and look forward to welcoming more referrals in coming months.” - Ends-