Details have been confirmed for the return of Lá na gClub this year and which will take place in clubs across Gaelic Games on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, April 1st, 2024. 

The Lá na gClub event carries added significance this year throughout the Gaelic Games community. 

This year marks 140 years since the establishment of the GAA in 1884. It is also the 120th anniversary of the birth of the Camogie Association, while also marking 50 years of the existence of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and is the centenary of GAA Handball.  Every club throughout the Gaelic Games community at home and abroad is being encouraged to host their own event to coincide with Lá na gClub or if suitable, across that weekend, and create an international festival of Gaelic Games colour and activity, and where everyone is welcome.

A special campaign to assist clubs to participate will be launched in the coming weeks and encourages clubs and the public to Join Us and Join In. 

GAA President, Larry McCarthy said: “Lá na gClub is an opportunity for our clubs to get out and do what they do best – showcase the fantastic work they do promoting Games and offering lifelong participation and sense of belonging to the communities they represent. 

“I look forward to clubs all over the world participating and showing their colours in all manner of fun events that weekend and with a particular focus on Easter Monday throughout Ireland. 

“The emphasis will be on participation, and welcoming new people to experience our clubs. In a year with so many milestones throughout Gaelic Games it is an opportunity for clubs to celebrate their existence in their local communities, so I encourage all our clubs and their local communities to Join Us and Join In.” 

A special section of the gaa.ie website will be dedicated to Lá na gClub in the coming weeks and regularly updated and can be found at gaa.ie/joinin 

The young people gathered ahead of the AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Final at Armagh City Hotel in mid December to receive their impressive set of certificates and awards from Ulster GAA Vice President Michael Geoghegan.

The eight Down people came from four clubs - Bryansford, Carryduff, Dromara and Drumagth.

The young people, the largest ever group to complete the Young Leaders Programme, showed great determination and commitment completing the six-month programme which included volunteering in their clubs, playing Gaelic Games, completing a skills development programme at a three-day Young Leaders Academy in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh and online workshops.

On completion of the programme, the young people from clubs across Ulster received the following awards:

• 2023 Ulster GAA Young Leaders Award
• GAA Foundation Coaching Award
• GAA Safeguarding Award
• Sports Inspire 50 Award
• Volunteer Now’s Youth Impact Award – 50 hrs
• Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award or Bronze Gaisce – the President’s Award

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ulster GAA Vice President Michael Geoghegan said, “It’s great to see so many young people committed to helping out at their local GAA club, giving of their time and skills. In doing so, these young people have been able to put into practice some of what they have learned through the Young Leader Workshops to help out in their clubs. This programme is hugely successful because it benefits the young participants and their clubs. The young people go away with an impressive set of awards and certificates which they can use for University applications, job interviews and their own career progression. They also go away with new friendships from across Ulster and many will continue to be involved in Ulster GAA programmes.

“This is a big commitment by young people, who already have a lot of activity in their lives, but these young people have shown real leadership and determination to participate fully in this programme and I congratulate each of them. They are a real example of the positive impact that can be made by young people in their communities through the GAA.”

Well done to 2023 Ulster GAA Young Leaders!

The Down GAA County Convention will be held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry this Wednesday evening (13th December 2023) commencing at 7.30pm.

For full reports, motions and nominations please visit: www.downgaa.net/convention