Press Release: Thursday, 26 October 2023
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton and the President of the GAA (Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael) Larry McCarthy have today announced additional funding of €800,000 from Healthy Ireland for the GAA Walking Tracks initiative.
It follows an earlier allocation of €815,000, which has enabled 54 GAA, Camogie and LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) clubs in 26 counties to improve the accessibility of existing community walking track facilities on GAA grounds.
The funding scheme attracted huge interest, with over 300 clubs submitting applications. Clubs which scored highest in the competitive selection process were awarded funding of between €10,000 and €25,000 in April. An additional €800,000 is now being allocated to several clubs which did not receive funding from the original application process.
Minister Naughton said:
“In April, I had the privilege of visiting Oran GAA Club in Roscommon which was among the 54 clubs which received funding to upgrade and develop walking tracks.
“The enthusiasm and commitment of all involved in creating inclusive facilities gave me great hope for communities all over Ireland. I was really keen to support the expansion of this great work so I’m delighted to be visiting Annaduff GAA Club today and announcing an additional €800,000 in funding nationwide.
“Clubs such as Annaduff will now be able to make their walking tracks more inclusive, promoting physical activity and enhancing the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
“Healthy Ireland is a very proud partner of the Irish life GAA Healthy Club Project and the Walking Tracks initiative illustrates the Healthy Ireland ethos by supporting clubs to create healthy hubs.
“I want to express my thanks to the GAA once again for the considerable work involved in this process and I wish the clubs well in their work.”
One of the key elements of the project is to encourage clubs to make their facilities available to non-playing members. The provision of walking tracks is particularly important in rural areas where safe, well-lit walking routes may be limited.
This year over 1,000 clubs participated in the Ireland Lights Up campaign with clubs opening their tracks to the community and almost 30,000 people registered and completed the 6-week walking programme.
GAA president Larry McCarthy said:
“On behalf of the Association, I sincerely welcome this additional funding for walking facilities located on GAA club grounds. It offers further recognition of the valuable contribution our clubs and volunteers make towards the health and wellbeing of their communities. With Ireland Lights Up about to throw-in again in January, the announcement is timely, and the recipient clubs will put the funding to great use.”