Clonduff GAA Club (the only County Down Club) was among those honoured at a ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday 9th November as one of 90 Green Clubs across Ireland taking sustainability action for the club and community. GAA President Jarlath Burns, who presented the club with their award at the event, applauded the clubs leading the sustainability charge for the GAA. “Green Clubs are reinforcing our social leadership, improving their facilities, and helping ensure a better future for their communities. The breadth of initiatives being celebrated here today, spanning energy, waste, water, biodiversity, and travel, speaks volumes about the innovative and community-focused spirit of our clubs. The diversity of these projects demonstrates how clubs are finding creative ways to address local challenges while contributing to a national movement.”
The Clonduff Green Club Programme is led by Marval Power entrepreneur and Clonduff Senior Camogie Player Fionnuala Carr.
The GAA Green Club Programme, a partnership between the GAA and local authorities, was established in 2020 to support GAA, LGFA and Camogie clubs to take action across the five areas of Energy, Waste, Water, Biodiversity, Travel & Transport. Ulster GAA, in partnership with RSPB NI and NI Water, was recently awarded funding of £404,543 for a ‘Sporting Nature’, a first of the kind project in the province, to help raise awareness, change behaviours and produce action on biodiversity and protecting water sources through the GAA club network. The Green Club Programme is an all-island programme with expert input from the RSBP NI, NI Water, Sustainable NI, Keep NI Beautiful, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Waste Management Regional Offices, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPro), Uisce Éireann, the National Transport Authority and the RSA.
Attendees at the event in Croke Park heard from Green Clubs from across the island who have achieved big cuts to club running costs and carbon emissions by introducing sustainable energy measures from clubhouse improvements to solar PV installation and LED upgrades. Over two thirds of Green Clubs have installed outdoor taps and drinking water stations, introduced reusable water bottles or run gear swaps to cut down on waste produced by the club and reduce spending for club members while nearly half the clubs have taken action, often with support from community partnerships and local or national grant funding, to encourage sustainable travel with the introduction of bike racks and car-pooling initiatives and the improvement of safe walking and cycling routes to clubs.
The event was backdropped by images of Green Clubs who have transformed the appearance of their club grounds with pollinator friendly flower beds in club colours, biodiversity walkways for the health & well-being of club and community members and native tree planting to support local biodiversity, provide shade and shelter and reduce flood risk. Guest speaker at the event Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin spoke of her admiration for the leadership being shown by the Green Clubs in their communities and within the GAA and of the positive legacy Green Clubs are creating for future generations.
Padraig Fallon, Chair of the GAA Green Club Steering Group, referenced the GAA’s values as a driving force behind the GAA’s Green Club Programme. “Place, belonging and respect are at the heart of what the GAA is and does. The Green Clubs being celebrated here today have demonstrated how respect for and a commitment to protecting our environment helps make our clubs and communities stronger, more resilient and a better place for all.”
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Associations are inviting new clubs to apply to become Green Clubs. Applications are open from now until January for the next round of the Green Club programme. Interested clubs can apply at: https://greenclubs.gaa.ie/
All Gaelic Games clubs can take sustainability action by using the GAA Green Club Toolkit available at https://learning.gaa.ie/GreenClub and
developed in collaboration with the GAA’s Green Club Expert Partners North and South, including RSPB NI, NI Water, Sustainable NI, Keep Ni Beautiful, Action Renewables and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
The 94 Green Clubs recognised at the Croke Park ceremony this week are:
Ulster
CLG MacDaibhéid, Antrim
Lámh Dhearg, Antrim
Pádraig Sáirséil CLG, Antrim
Ruairí Óg, Antrim
St Joseph’s, Antrim
Clan na Gael, Armagh
Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh
Culloville Blues GAC, Armagh
Naomh Peadar, Armagh
Naomh Pól CLG, Armagh
Lavey, Cavan
Ramor United, Cavan
Sean Dolans, Derry
CLG Beart, Donegal
CLG Bun Cranncha, Donegal
CLG Carndomhnaigh, Donegal
Clonduff GAC, Down
Aghadrumsee St Macartans, Fermanagh
St Patrick’s Donagh, Fermanagh
Tempo Maguires, Fermanagh
Monaghan Harps, Monaghan
Augher St Macartan’s GFC, Tyrone
Beragh Red Knights GAA, Tyrone
Derrytresk Fir an Chnoic, Tyrone
Dungannon Thomas Clarke GAA, Tyrone
Éire Óg An Charraig Mhór, Tyrone
Connacht
Ballinderreen, Galway
Bearna-Na Forbacha, Galway
Caltra, Galway
Dunmore MacHales, Galway
St Brendan’s, Galway
St Gabriels, Galway
Bornacoola, Leitrim
Kilmeena, Mayo
Mayo Gaels, Mayo
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, Mayo
Westport GAA, Mayo
St Aidan’s, Roscommon
St Molaise Gaels, Sligo
Tubbercurry GAA Club, Sligo
Easkey, Sligo
Leinster
Kildavin/Clonegal, Carlow
Clontarf GAA Club, Dublin
Naomh Mearnóg, Dublin
Round Towers Clondalkin, Dublin
St Annes, Dublin
St Maurs, Dublin
Athgarvan, Kildare
Cappagh, Kildare
Clane, Kildare
Kilcock, Kildare
Milltown, Kildare
Straffan, Kildare
Windgap, Kilkenny
Clough/Ballacolla, Laois
Park Ratheniska, Laois
Geraldines, Louth
Glen Emmets, Louth
Mattock Rangers, Louth
St Fechins GAA, Louth
Bective, Meath
Blackhall Gaels, Meath
Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Meath
Dunsany, Meath
Gaeil Colmcille, Meath
Kilmainhamwood, Meath
St. Colmcille’s, Meath
St Michael’s, Meath
St Peter’s, Meath
Rathmoylon Meath
Ballycumber, Offaly
Walsh Island, Offaly
Garrycastle, Westmeath
Milltown, Westmeath
Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath
Buffers Alley, Wexford
Castletown-Liam Mellows, Wexford
Kilmore, Wexford
Oulart the Ballagh, Wexford
Taghmon-Camross, Wexford
Naomh Teagain/Kiltegan, Wicklow
Newtown GAA, Wicklow
Munster
Mac Gabhann Uí Bhriain, Clare
Wolfe Tones na Sionna, Clare
Delanys GAA, Cork
Midleton, Cork
St Mary’s, Cork
Beaufort, Kerry
Dr Crokes, Kerry
Ballinacurra Gaels, Limerick
Kilteely Dromkeen, Limerick
Druim agus Inse, Tipperary
Ballygunner, Waterford
Affane Cappoquin Tourin GAA & Cappoquin Camogie Club, Waterford
