July Registration Open for Free Community Events

NUI Galway staff and students promoting Irish through sports

Gaeil na Gaillimhe, an Irish language GAA Club based in Galway City which promotes the use of the Irish through sport, will hold a community event, ‘Team Together/Foireann le chéile’, on Saturday, 14 July.

Team Together/Foireann le chéile, organised by NUI Galway students and staff members, aims to invite new and existing members of the community to join and promote cultural and community inclusion through engagement with sport. The club currently has one Senior Mens’ and Ladies’ Gaelic football teams. They will also run an Irish language Cúl Camp for younger players, aged 5-13 years, from 16-20 July.

Áine Gallagher, Manager of the ladies’ team, said: “Gaeil na Gaillimhe adds something unique to the sporting culture in Galway. It provides a supportive space for people who may have never played sport before, to begin playing now. We also encourage our members to hear and speak the Irish language in a fun and friendly way. Previous experience of football or Irish is absolutely not necessary. Our club is open to everyone.”

In order to further advance the ethos of the club, Gaeil na Gaillimhe has partnered with ‘Walk the Talk’, a community organisation which aims to promote inclusion of people living in Direct Provision through engagement in physical activity. This collaboration will host ‘Team Together’ on 14^th July 2018. ‘Team Together’ is an event which invites all members of the community to join, whether you have just moved to Ireland, have never played sport before or never even knew there was an Irish language. The event will comprise of an introduction to the basic rules of Gaelic football and a fun Gaelic Football Blitz competition. It aims to encourage and celebrate community integration and cultural diversity within the GAA community. Refreshments from One World Tapestry catering company will be available after the event in Áras na nGael on Dominick Street.

Garrett Mullan, Executive Director of Show Racism the Red Card, commented: “Gael na Gaillimhe are one of a number of clubs taking part in the Club Welcome programme of Show Racism the Red Card.  The programme is designed to support the integration of refugees within sport. We are delighted with the initiative of Gael na Gaillimhe in organising an open day at their club inviting people who have come to Ireland to try our sports.  The club has reached out to residents in direct provision accommodation and others who are refugees to include them in their activities.  The open day will be an opportunity for people who have never tried Gaelic games before to try the basics.  Who knows, they may even enjoy it and continue to play.”

Áine Teahan, an NUI Galway PhD Researcher and member of the Ladies Gael na Gaillimhe, said: “I feel really lucky to be a part of such a welcoming and supportive team. I think this event will be a great opportunity to open up Gaeil na Gaillimhe to the wider community and give people from many different backgrounds the chance to play football and learn cúpla focal!”

The event is free and catered to people aged 16 and over. However, parents with younger children are also welcome and can learn about Gaeil na Gaillimhe’s upcoming Irish language GAA Summer Camp for young people.

The Team Together Event will take place in the Claddagh Football Pitch from 3-5pm with refreshments served in Arás na nGael at 6pm on Saturday, 14 July. To register or for more information please contact us at teamtogethertoday@gmail.com

The event is supported by The Club Welcome programme of Show Racism the Red Card.

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