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Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain

GAA grounds redevelopment in London

Former Mayor of Hillingdon Alan Kauffman GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail, London GAA Chairman Noel O’Sullivan, the and the Embassy’s Head of Community and Cultural Affairs Unit Alma Ní Choigligh at the ceremony at the Emerald GAA grounds. Photo by Malcolm McNally

The Embassy and the Irish Government are major supporters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) through Britain. The Embassy was delighted to participate in the ceremony to mark the start of work on the development of the flagship GAA grounds in Britain at Ruislip, London. GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail, London GAA Chairman Noel O'Sullivan, the former Mayor of Hillingdon Alan Kauffman and the Embassy's Head of Community and Cultural Affairs Unit Alma Ní Choighligh took part in the ceremony at the Emerald GAA grounds.

Our Emigrant Support Programme has provided over €2m in support to the GAA's Community Games Development team in Britain since 2007. In 2014, it was announced that the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) would also assist in the redevelopment project at Ruislip, as part of ESP's commitment to the GAA as a vital part of the Irish community abroad, with a grant of €600,000. This represents approximately 12.5% of the total planned costs and is ring-fenced for the development of the spectator facilities. GAA HQ has committed more than €2m to the project to date and London GAA is working on an ambitious fundraising programme to raise the remaining amount. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan visited the Emerald grounds in September 2014 and viewed the area of the planned redevelopment.

The works, which are die to get underway in June of this year, will include a new stand and spectator facilities, as well as providing disabled access, and drainage and upgrade work on the pitch. We are all looking forward to visiting the new rounds on time for the first round of the 2016 Championship!

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