A select gathering of Irish residents was invited to the residence of ambassador Diarmuid O’Leary in January to hear all about The Gathering and, more specifically, the plans of a number of Luxembourg residents to get involved in the events in Ireland this year.

The ambassador explained that The Gathering is “not a single event, but a year-long celebration of all things Irish. Of the Irish people, of culture, heritage, sports…” It is very much a people’s led initiative, O’Leary said, and he invited members of the Irish community in Luxembourg to present their events.

Among them was Damien Higgins, president of the Gaelic Sports Club Luxembourg who explained that his organisation is taking teams to Ireland for special The Gathering events such as a GAA World Club Football competition in Dublin in July and a similar competition of Hurling in September.

Businessman Ronan Carroll presented his plans to participate with friends in the Ring of Keryr Charity Cycle in July. John Chalmers will be taking a group of people on a fishing trip to Courtmacsherry in County Cork from May 30 to June 3.

And Thérèse Collins of the Luxembourg Rose of Tralee committee is organising a five-day tour of Kerry with bus company Demy Schandler to coincide with this year’s Tralee festival at which international Rose Nicola McEvoy, representing Luxembourg, will hand over her crown to a new title-holder.