All-Irish GAA Club in Dublin is growing and flourishing
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 17 September 2021
- Last updated on: 17 September 2021
The government's Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD, has announced today that he has approved funding of €150,000, over a three year period, for Na Gaeil Óga GAA Club to begin a games development programme and a community engagement programme in the club. Both of these programmes will build on the work already being done by this club to promote Gaelic games and the language in the capital.
The community engagement programme will focus on providing language supports to the families of club members. Parents and families will have the opportunity to learn the language and improve their Irish by playing an active role in the club. The games development programme, which will focus on providing all-Irish coaching and sporting events for gaelscoil students in Dublin, has also begun. The club has recently hired two new officers to implement these programmes.
Minister of State Chambers met with the new officials in Lucan today to announce the funding.
Speaking today, Minister of State Chambers said:
“It is vital that young people and families have opportunities to use the language outside of an educational context. Na Gaeil Óga GAA Club gives all age groups, young and old, the opportunity to use the language outside of school and to play a role in an active all-Irish club.
“GAA clubs are at the heart of every community in this country and Gaelic games have a special connection to the Irish language. Na Gaeil Óga makes a significant contribution to the Irish language community in Dublin, and this funding, and the funding provided to them through Sport Ireland, will enable the club to attract more people to sport and the language."
Daithi de Buitléar, Coaching Director of Na Gaeil Óga GAA Club welcomed today's announcement:
"This funding is a great support for us. We never believed that we would grow as fast as we have done in the last 10 years. This funding will ensure that our story of growth can continue, by encouraging wider participation among children in gaelscoileanna and by providing more supports for parents who want to learn Irish to help with the coaching and administration of the club."