Francis Gallagher, Niamh Gallagher, Tourism Ireland's Donna Campbell and Mary Gallagher in Sydney last week.

When the Gallagher Clan got together in Donegal in 2007 they set a Guinness world record for the most people with the same surname in one place. Now Niamh Gallagher has come to Sydney to urge Gallaghers in Australia to join them for a second gathering next year.

The Irish community and those with Irish heritage are being called on to return home to Ireland in 2013 to be a part of a special initiative, called the Gathering.

The Gathering Ireland 2013 has been described as a unique opportunity to join a countrywide, citizen-led initiative, which will reach out to Ireland’s global diaspora.

The event aims to bring migrants home from abroad for an unprecedented year long celebration of all that is great about Ireland. At present it is estimated that there are 70m Irish people in the diaspora.

Anyone who has an affinity with Ireland or feels a connection to Ireland through business, education or a love of Irish culture or music is being invited to support Ireland in 2013.

A collection of local festivals and events will take place all over the country to celebrate the unique initiative.

Tourism Ireland is hoping to attract an additional 325,000 visitors to Ireland in 2013, 180,000 of whom are of Irish origin, have ancestral links, were born in Ireland, or have an affinity with Ireland.

Those with Irish roots are being asked to get involved by organising family or clan gatherings, school or work reunions; sports competitions; community celebrations or business events.

The first event to have been confirmed for 2013 is the Gallagher Clan Gathering, which will take place in Gortahork, Co Donegal from September 6 to 14, 2013.

This will be the second Gallagher Clan Gathering after a hugely successful event in 2007, which saw participants being awarded a Guinness World Record for the largest same last name gathering involving 1,488 participants with the surname Gallagher in Letterkenny in September 2007.

Organiser of the event Niamh Gallagher explained how there has already been plenty of interest. “We just answered the Government’s call,” she told the Irish Echo.

“We think it will be something different to offer to people coming to Ireland because Donegal is quite different to Dublin, where people would usually go to,” she added.

For those interested in helping influence a club, meeting, conference or any type of event to take place in Ireland, contact www.thegatheringireland.com.