Diaspora Minister Ciaran Cannon has announced the launch of the Global Irish Festival Series, a joint initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Failte Ireland.

Objective is to create across Ireland a series of local and regional festivals that can tap into international diaspora networks and bring international visitors to Ireland.

The last major diaspora initiative - "The Gathering 2013" - brought more than 250,000 visitors to Ireland.

The Tourism Ministry began in 2017 to plan for a "Gathering II" but Brexit and the weak GBP coupled with the Dublin hotel room shortage quickly put paid to that idea.

Maybe this new plan will be able to get around these obstacles by targeting diaspora groups outside the UK, and drawing them out to destinations beyond Dublin.

Hope so.

Stay tuned.