GAA and Irish in Britain join forces to aid wellbeing of immigrants

THE GAA and Irish in Britain have committed to working in partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of the Irish community in Britain.

Irish in Britain – a registered charity – is the only national representative Irish organisation in Britain that provides leadership, campaigning and support to all the Irish community, doing so in conjunction with 113 member organisations.

Dan Mulhall, the Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, said: “I am delighted to welcome this initiative and wish the new partnership between the GAA and Irish in Britain every success.

“The Emigrant Support Programme, which supports both organisations, is keen to celebrate, maintain and strengthen the links between Ireland and the global Irish. I welcome this partnership as a practical approach to deliver results for Irish people living in Britain.”

Meanwhile, according to a recent report by the Clinton Institute in University College Dublin, the GAA is invaluable for the work it does in supporting the wellbeing of Irish diaspora around the globe, as it has done since its foundation in 1884.

At a time when the London Irish community rallied to track down missing St Gabriel’s hurling player Neil Coady, President of The Provincial GAA Council of Britain Seán Hackett says the partnership can help with the mental and emotional wellbeing of players.

He said: “The GAA in Britain looks forward to working closely with Irish in Britain in helping promote health and wellbeing amongst our members and those who come in contact with our games.

“For generations the GAA in Britain has been an invaluable wellbeing support network for the Irish diaspora in Scotland, Wales and England; not just in terms of physical fitness through our games but also in terms of mental and emotional wellbeing through the social activities of the association.

“The GAA in Britain remains committed to promoting physical wellbeing; helping people and communities create sporting habits for life by increased participation in our games at all age levels regardless of their ability.”

The GAA has around 400 affiliated clubs outside of Ireland, 127 of which are based in Britain, with a playing population of 10,551.

• Read the Irish Post’s special report on depression in GAA