Comhpháirtíocht Eisceachtúil idir Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Cumann Imreoirí Gael agus Gaelchultúr seolta
100 Irish Language Scholarships for Gaelic Games Inter-county Players
The GAA, GPA and Gaelchultúr, the world’s leading provider of Irish-language education, are proud to announce an exciting new collaboration, offering 100 scholarships to inter-county male and female players. This innovative partnership aims to deepen the longstanding relationship between Ireland’s national language and Gaelic Games, creating new pathways for inter-county players to reconnect with and promote the Irish language.
The GAA, GPA and Gaelchultúr are also being supported by An Cumann Camógaíochta and the LGFA in this initiative and hope that all inter-county Gaelic games’ players will benefit from this scheme.
The scholarships will enable these sporting icons to immerse themselves in Irish, becoming ambassadors for the language within their clubs, counties and communities.
This landmark initiative follows close on the heels of Gaelchultúr's recent national study, which revealed a substantial desire among the Irish public to improve their command of the Irish language. According to the study, 66% of adults in Ireland regret not having better spoken Irish, while 74% of them wish to improve their proficiency in the language.
The value of the Irish language to the cultural fabric of Ireland was highlighted in the same survey, with 73% of respondents agreeing that the language is essential to the identity of the Irish people, and 70% stating that Ireland would be culturally impoverished without it.
Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG, expressed his excitement at the launch of this partnership: ‘The GAA has always been about fostering community and identity, and our connection with the Irish language is at the heart of this. Through these scholarships, our players will lead by example, demonstrating that the Irish language is a living, thriving part of our heritage that deserves to be celebrated and passed on to future generations.’
Tom Parsons, CEO of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), also emphasised the importance of the initiative: ‘Like our games, the Irish language is part of our culture and heritage. Therefore, we are delighted to partner with the GAA and Gaelchultúr in offering these opportunities to our members. I hope that in doing so we will they will also inspire those who look up to them as role models to use their cúpla focal and foster a sense of ownership of the language, ensuring its future is as strong as ever.’
Discussing the new partnership, Darren Ó Rodaigh, CEO of Gaelchultúr, commented, ’This collaboration with the GAA and GPA provides a unique opportunity for players to strengthen their connection with the Irish language. By empowering sporting icons to become ambassadors for our language, we are not only promoting Irish but also strengthening the deep cultural ties between our national games and the language that is so integral to our identity.’
The launch of this collaboration is a source of great pride for all relevant organisations as well as Coiste Náisiúnta Gaeilge CLG under the leadership of Chairperson Áine Uí Choinn, as they work together to ensure that the Irish language thrives both on and off the field.
100 inter-county players will have the opportunity to begin their Irish-language journey in inspiring, interactive courses starting this week.