The GAA and Camogie, in conjunction with the then Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, achieved UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in November 2018.
The GAA and the Camogie Association welcome the specific inclusion of Hurling and Camogie’s unique UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in the new National Sports Action Plan.
The GAA and Camogie, in conjunction with the then Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, achieved this recognition in November 2018.
The commitment on the part of the State to support the growth of both games is very timely as we are currently in the advanced stages of developing a new strategic plan for the game under our Hurling Development Committee. In parallel, the GAA is in the process of appointing a new Head of Hurling who will work closely with the Camogie Association on developing common strategies and support programmes.
The strategic plan is being guided by our overarching GAA Strategic Plan - ‘Aontas 2026 – Towards One GAA for All’ which has the following key objectives related to hurling:
● Provide needs-based investment to promote and develop hurling in the Division Two and Three hurling counties
● Ensure a minimum number of Club games and competitions are provided for players and teams at a level appropriate to their standard
● Design and deliver County-specific coach education interventions to include the introduction of a mentor support initiative
● Raise the profile of hurling and camogie by building on the Intangible Cultural Heritage status designated by UNESCO3
● Provide Clubs and schools with start-up grants in line with clear eligibility criteria to help with playing equipment
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said: “We warmly welcome the addition of hurling and camogie to the new National Sports Action Plan. The UNESCO status was important international recognition of the treasures that these games are to us. All the while, we are mindful of the responsibility we have to ensure that hurling remains an integral part of our unique identity.
“Protecting hurling from extinction and promoting it again amongst the people of Ireland was a north star for Michael Cusack when he was forming the GAA 140 years ago. It is a charge that is entrusted to all of those who follow in his footsteps.
“For more than 3,000 years there has been hurling on this island and our new strategic plan for the game aims to ensure that there are more hurling and camogie clubs than ever – producing more players and playing more games than ever before and anything that assists us in this mission is much appreciated.”
Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association, added: “I am delighted to see the inclusion in the National Sports Action Plan of a specific commitment to safeguard and develop Camogie and Hurling both domestically and internationally in schools, clubs and areas where the games are not currently strong.
“This aligns perfectly with our focus on ensuring that every child in every school, parish and town in Ireland gets the opportunity to play our great native games.
“I also note and welcome the continued strong focus on female participation in sport and in the administration and running of our sports NGBs. We look forward to working with the GAA and the Government to bring this plan into fruition.”