Kerry Gaeltacht delegation travelling to the Big E trade fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts

Údarás na Gaeltachta is delighted that some of the most renowned craftspeople in the country will be in the delegation travelling to the United States this weekend for the Big E trade fair, the third largest trade fare in the US. Approximately one million people attend the trade fair every year; in 2019, the last time the Big E was held in-person, an estimated 700,000 people visited the Dingle Peninsula Showcase, in which a wide range of businesses from the Corca Dhuibhne peninsula and from West Springfield had the opportunity to show their wares.

The Big E is held in West Springfield Massachusetts, a city with strong historic links to Corca Dhuibhne, due to the large numbers who  emigrated to Springfield from West Kerry from the 19^th century onwards.

The best of Kerry craftsmanship and innovation will be on display at the fair with jeweller Brian de Staic, renowned potter Louis Mulcahy, artisan weaver Lisbeth Mulcahy, Dingle Crystal and the Dingle Distillery all participating.

There will also be a cultural dimension to the West Kerry delegation, as Jamie Ó Flannúra will travel with them as cultural and linguistic ambassador, giving the the people of Springfield a taste of Irish dance and of the Irish language.

Dónal Ó Liatháin, Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Southern Regional Manager said ”It’s wonderful to see a delegation from the Kerry Gaeltacht attending the Big E once again; the Údarás understands the significance of such events and their importance in strengthening and deepening the important cultural, economic and social links between the Gaeltacht agus the Gaeltacht Diaspora all over the United States.