TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE today announced a grant of €600,000 towards the redevelopment of the Ruislip GAA grounds in London as part of the Emigrant Support Programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The project was launched today in Croke Park with the government grant helping to fund a €5m development of the home of London GAA in the north-west of the city.
The GAA at central level will provide €1.4m for the new facility with the outstanding balance being met by London GAA and its clubs.
The construction on the proposed development will commence in September 2014 and it is planned that the refurbished facility will re-open in time for London’s Connacht championship opener in May 2015.
A new covered stand will be built with terracing on the opposite side of the ground. The new 3,900 capacity facility will also house the administrative office of London GAA.
“Our investment in the new facilities at Ruislip recognises the central role of the GAA in the Irish Emigrant community in London”, remarked the Táinaiste.
“It’s often a first port of call for our newer emigrants, and a home from home for others. The development of Ruislip will make it a better place to play and to watch Gaelic Games in London and can only help reinforce the strong sense of community which is so evident amongst the many generations of Irish people living there.”
GAA President Liam O’Neill welcomed the development.
“We are delighted to confirm details of this exciting new development which will serve the needs of London GAA and its clubs for many years to come. Rarely, if ever, has there existed a higher level of awareness of the rich heritage of our games in London – thanks in no small part to the exploits of the county’s footballers and hurlers in recent times.
“I would like to thank the Department and An Tanáiste Eamon Gilmore in particular for their support of this project and I wish London every success with it.”
Funding was also announced for several other overseas GAA projects. Asian clubs in Myanmar, China and Hong Kong will benefit along with the Asian county board. Queensland in Australia, the Middle East county board and South Africa Gaels will also receive funding.
In Canada there will be funding for clubs like Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver while European clubs in Vienna, Munich, Moscow and Brussels are also amongst those that will benefit.
I wonder was this the best choice of club for Sadlier. He is a great talent so I was hopeful he would go to a bigger championship club. I fear Rotherham will go straight back down.
@Seagoat returns: might not have got game time at a bigger championship club. At least he can show what hes about playing regularly then possibly get a another move.
@John Palmer: Yes, that appears to have been his modus operandi since he was released by Peterborough- baby steps from Sligo to Cork to Doncaster and now to Rotherham. Rotherham is just down the road from Doncaster too so he has an opportunity to focus on the football.