Press release
Minister Brophy announces strengthened support for GAA overseas
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the overseas development of the GAA and announced strengthened support to the GAA’s Global Games Development Programme. The Minister’s announcement was made at a meeting with the President of the GAA, Mr. Larry McCarthy, in Croke Park on Tuesday 8 March.
From supporting just 14 projects in 2013, the Global Games Development Programme has grown and developed to support around 100 different projects annually in over 30 countries in every region of the world. Some projects are one-off events, others have activities lasting the course of a year. All have been invaluable in supporting and nurturing a sense of Irish community and many have created important links between the global Irish and their local communities.
Minister Brophy paid tribute to and thanked GAA clubs and communities across the globe for the important role they played throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the partnership developed with local GAA organisations on the ground, to implement the government’s Covid Response Fund, in support of the Irish abroad for protection of the most vulnerable, as well as maintaining the vital links between the Irish abroad and at home.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, said:
"Through the government’s new Diaspora Strategy and the Emigrant Support Programme, my department remains committed to supporting Irish communities abroad. I am therefore delighted to announce strengthened support for the GAA for the coming 12 months. This funding will be matched by the GAA, and brings the total amount for the development of the Global Game to nearly €8.5 million over the last 10 years.
"The GAA is at the heart of many of our Diaspora communities. GAA clubs create a sense of belonging and connection with our heritage in locations as diverse as Manila or Vancouver, and they are invaluable in keeping connections to Ireland alive.
"Many of the 450 GAA clubs around the world only exist due to the commitment and engagement of volunteers, who tirelessly give their time and enthusiasm to ensure that Gaelic Games continue to grow and flourish and remain at the heart of our community abroad. I would like to thank them all for their tireless work, in particular, over the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In my role as Minister for Diaspora, I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the GAA, to maintaining our close and collaborative relationship, and to developing our sporting heritage networks and contributing to the vitality of our communities worldwide for the good of our emigrants."
President of the GAA, Mr. Larry McCarthy added:
"The GAA continues to play a key role in the social and cultural life of Irish communities abroad. It goes without saying, the global pandemic presented an inevitable challenge for the GAA in terms of developing our Gaelic games overseas. However, the Association remains more committed than ever to promote Irish heritage and identity across the globe through the promotion of our games. The support from the government is much welcomed and will allow the GAA to strengthen and develop links with Irish communities abroad."