Irish government gives $300,000 funding to New York GAA club

Irish Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan announced the Irish government will provide funding of $291,499 (€250,000) to Shannon Gaels GAA club in New York to develop the underage playing field in Frank Golden Park, Queens.

“I am delighted to announce a contribution towards the redevelopment of the facilities at Shannon Gaels which is one of the fastest growing GAA clubs in the United States,” Deenihan said.

“This funding will particularly benefit the younger Shannon Gaels members and encourage their ongoing participation in Gaelic games.

“This grant recognizes the strong links between GAA clubs abroad and the Irish communities in which they are based. I also welcome and appreciate the strong support this initiative received at community and city levels in New York City.”

The funding is being provided as part of the Emigrant Support Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which supports Irish communities overseas and facilitates the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish.

Sean Price, chairman of Shannon Gaels said, “The young people of Shannon Gaels club, as well as children of Irish heritage all over New York, will benefit enormously from this grant in the coming years.

“We are now several steps closer to achieving what seemed impossible some years ago by developing Frank Golden Park in Queens into a top class GAA facility.”