From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Today at an event in West Belfast, the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne, announced a funding package worth over €800,000 for Glór na nGael.
This funding package will be used to support the efforts of two GAA clubs outside the Gaeltacht – Laochra Loch Lao in Belfast and Na Gaeil Óga based in Lucan, Dublin – to promote the language. These two clubs are the only two clubs outside the Gaeltacht that have won the gold medal in Glór na nGael's Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Donnacha scheme.
The funding will allow these clubs to take their language support to the next level and employ a full-time development officer who will work to support players, their families and other club members to cope with the language by organising Irish classes, running a youth programme, working with local schools and holding other events that give their members opportunities to engage with the language in a social and enjoyable way.
Speaking about this funding package, Minister Byrne said:
"I am delighted to announce €800,000 in funding for Glór na nGael today which will give two pioneering GAA clubs, Laochra Loch Lao and na Gaeil Óga, the opportunity to build on the achievement they have made to create a space outside the Gaeltacht for young and old to get together and actively speak Irish in a fun way through sport.
"This funding will allow these clubs to build on that work and support their current members and the next generation of young players and coaches to make the language their own while playing the games they love."
Welcoming the announcement, Lorcán Mac Gabhann, Head of Glór na nGael, said:
"Glór na nGael is delighted that funding has been approved for this scheme by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht. Na Gaeil Óga and Laochra Loch Lao are an example of what can be achieved when the will is there together with a measured approach. With the support announced today, Glór na nGael will be able to take the efforts of these two innovative clubs – including what they have already achieved under Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Donnacha – to the next level in collaboration with both club communities, as role models for other clubs around the country."