The Minister for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh T.D., was today (Wednesday) joined by the Uachtarán of the GAA, Aogán Ó Fearghail, at the launch of the Global Games Development Fund in Iveagh House.
Since 2013, through the Global Games Development Fund, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the GAA have provided matched funding for developmental projects in GAA clubs in Asia, Australasia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. The Fund provides financial support specifically for projects and initiatives that increase or improve opportunities for the Irish Diaspora and other communities abroad to play Gaelic Games. Through the provision of financial assistance, it is the aim of the Fund to support the Irish Diaspora and strengthen Irish networks and Irish identity internationally.
From supporting 14 projects in 2013, this year the Global Games Development Fund will see €252,700 allocated to 59 different projects across the globe. Some projects are one-off events, others have activities lasting the course of a year. All have been truly invaluable in supporting and nurturing a sense of Irish community and many have created important links between the global Irish and their local communities.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Diaspora Affairs and International Development, Joe McHugh T.D., said:
“It is wonderful to see the continued success of the Global Games Development Fund, and to recognise the invaluable work of the Fund in supporting GAA clubs across the globe, to forge greater links with members of our diaspora. I am delighted to continue to support and work in partnership with the GAA in developing networks, strengthening the Irish identity and contributing significantly to the creation and vitality of Irish communities abroad.
"It is also important to acknowledge the efforts being made by the GAA in the development of ladies’ sports. It is great to have Donegal’s Aoife McDonnell here today for this launch and I wish her and her teammates the best of luck for the upcoming season. The importance of Gaelic Games both home and abroad is that it provides a social network and sense of community, as well as a healthy activity for its participants and long may this continue to be the case.
"Ireland greatly values our dynamic diaspora, whose energy, expertise and experience has done much to build Ireland’s reach and reputation in the world. It has built strong, familial connections across the globe. In today’s world, where change and uncertainty appear to be the order of the day, our commitment to the Irish abroad remains steadfast.”
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail added:
“I am delighted with the growth of the Global Games Development Fund over the course of the last four years and the positive impact it is having on the ongoing expansion of Gaelic games right around the globe.
“The existence of this fund and the collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the GAA is tacit acknowledgement of the incredible energy pulsing through our international operation and there are few global Irish networks to rival it.
“On behalf of the GAA and the clubs benefiting across all continents, I’d like to thank Minister Joe McHugh for the government support and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
Note for Editors:
1. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is the Government’s programme of financial support for organisations working with Irish communities abroad. The Budget for the ESP in 2016 is €11.595 million. Since its establishment in 2004, the ESP has:
Assisted 534 organisations in 36 countries; and
Administered €148.248 million in grants
70% of ESP funding goes to frontline welfare services which benefit the most vulnerable members of the Irish diaspora including elderly emigrants, those with mental health issues, and the undocumented Irish.
In 2017 the ESP received funding requests totalling over €20 million, from 264 different organisations.
1. The Global Games Development Fund is co-funded by DFAT through the ESP, and the GAA and delivers and promotes meaningful developmental games opportunities for the Irish Diaspora in Asia, Australasia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
2. To date, a total of €365,000 in funding has been approved through the ESP for the Global Games Development Fund. In 2017, a total of €252,700 has been allocated through the Fund to 59 different projects across the globe. A total of €3.7 million has been provided to the GAA towards Games Development worldwide through the ESP.
3. The Global Games Development Fund was launched in partnership with the GAA at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House on Wednesday 24th May 2017 in Iveagh House.
2017
Region Country Applicant Funding awarded
(ESP/GAA 50:50)
Africa Malawi Lilongwe Crokes GAA €10,000
South Africa The South African Gaelic Sports Foundation €16,000
Asia China Suzhou Eire Og/ Asia County Board €3,000
China Shanghai GAA Club €4,000
China Beijing GAA €2,000
China South China GAA Youth Board €3,000
Malaysia Orang Éire Malaysia GAA €7,000
Singapore Singapore Gaelic Lions €4,000
South Korea Laochra Busan GAA €2,000
South Korwa Laochra Busan GAA €1,000
South Korea Seoul Gaels GAA €6,000
South Korea Daegu Fianna €4,000
South Korea Asian County Board €1,000
South Korea Asian County Board €14,000
Taiwan Taiwan Celts €2,500
Thailand Thailand GAA €1,500
Vietnam Viets Celts & Saigon Gaels €7,000
Australasia Australia GAA Gaelic Park Inc. Melbourne €5,000
Australia Gaelic Football & Hurling Assoc of SA €5,000
Australia Western Australia GFHA €1,500
Canada Canada Ottawa Gaels GFC €2,500
Canada Toronto Gaels GFC €700
Canada Toronto Chieftan Gaelic Football Club €6,000
Canada Durham Robert Emmets Gaelic Football Club Whitby €4,500
Canada Montreal Shamrocks GAC €4,500
Canada JP Ryans Hurling Club, ISSC Vancouver €3,000
Canada Prince Edward Island Celts GAA €14,000
Canada Fraser Valley Gaelic Football Club €2,000
Canada St Patricks, Toronto GAA €2,000
Canada Roger Casement GAA €2,000
Canada Eastern Canadian Divisional Board €5,000
Europe Austria Vienna Gaels GAA €2,000
Belgium/The Hague Joint Benelux application by European Communities Gaelic Club, Brussels, and Den Haag (with support of Luxembourg and Frankfurt Sarsfields) €7,000
Finland Helsinki Harps €4,000
France Azur Gaels €2,000
France Lille Football Gaelique €1,000
France Paris Gaels GAA €1,000
Germany German GAA Clubs €8,500
Germany Frankfurt Sarsfields €6,000
Netherlands Eindhoven Shamrocks GAA Club €1,000
Slovakia Slovak Shamrock GFC €1,000
Spain Madrid Harps Youths GAA €4,000
Switzerland Zurich Inneoin GAA €2,000
Middle East Bahrain Arabian Celts GAA €3,000
Bahrain Arabian Celts GAA €5,000
Qatar Oryx na hEireann - Qatar GAA €1,000
Saudi Arabia Naomh Alee GAA Club €3,000
Saudi Arabia Middle East Board €10,000
United Arab Emirates Ruwais Gaels GAA €2,000
Kuwait Kuwait Harps GAA Club €1,500
South America Argentina Hurling Club, Buenos Aires €15,000
US San Francisco San Diego GAA €1,500
Atlanta Greenville Gaels Youth GAA Hurling & Gaelic FC €4,000
Raleigh GAA €3,500
Atlanta Clan na nGael €5,000
Charlotte James Connolly GFC €2,000
Austin Albuquerque GFC €1,000
Denver Gaels/Colorado Regulators €5,000
Celtic Cowboys Sports & Social Club €5,000
Total €252,700