GAA and Dept of Foreign Affairs to promote games overseas

The GAA and the Department of Foreign Affairs today launched their joint community outreach initiative on Emigrant Heritage and Sport at Croke Park.

The project involves the joint funding of a number of full-time GAA games development administrators in Britain and the US. These games administrators are involved in the coaching and promotion of gaelic games in Irish communities and they are seen as enhancing links with the Irish Diaspora.

The GAA has received Stg£250,000 (€315,610) and €75,000 from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Emigrant Support community funding in Britain and the US respectively.

This amount has been matched by GAA Central Council and the total amount has been used to support the 10 Games Development Administrators in Britain (London (2), Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Scotland, Lancashire, Glasgow, Third Level, Bishop Challoner) and four so far in the US (Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco) with San Diego in prospect. The GAA’s Overseas Work Group Committee, under the chairmanship of Seamus Howlin and The National Coaching and Games Committee, under the chairmanship of Christy Cooney have worked very closely with the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs in developing the overseas strategy of the GAA.

In addition to the Games Development Administrators, the Department of Foreign Affairs has also pledged €20,000 for the support of the Belfast Cúchullains, an integrated hurling team who are travelling to the Continental Youth Championships to be held in Philadelphia in July this year.

The team has been in existence for just over two years and has participated in a range of events, including Shinty. The U-16 players in the team represent both the Catholic and Protestant traditions and live in areas of North, West and East Belfast. Comhairle Uladh has formed a strong link with the team and the schools leading the project. The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in the North are also supportive of the project and will be hosting a reception in Parliament Buildings in July.

Speaking at the launch, GAA president, Nickey Brennan, said: “I am delighted that the Department of Foreign Affairs has agreed to assist our overseas development programme by jointly funding our Games Development Administrators in Britain and the US. I thank the Minister and his staff for their contribution to the project.

Our Overseas Work Group under the chairmanship of Seamus Howlin has worked tremendously well on developing our programme and I thank them for their work. We see our Games Development Administrators as being vital to the future of our association overseas and their work in the promotion of Gaelic Games and Irish culture is of the utmost importance.”

Also speaking at the launch, Micheál Martin - Minister for Foreign Affairs said that: "The GAA is arguably our largest community and heritage organisation and has a very special place within our Diaspora. The Association underpins and promotes Irish heritage and identity across the globe, and is a major contributor to Irish Community networks."