Hurling and Camogie Granted World Heritage Recognition

Nov 29, 2018

The Federation is delighted to hear the news that hurling and Camogie have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

At a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mauritius yesterday (28 November), Ireland’s nomination of Hurling was approved, thereby achieving international recognition of hurling as a key element of Ireland’s living heritage to be safeguarded for future generations.

“I am delighted that Hurling has achieved international recognition by UNESCO,” said Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage Josepha Madigan.

“Hurling is a key element of Irish culture. For centuries, hurling has been an important part of the Irish identity, with men and women passing on this living tradition to each rising generation. I am grateful to the Camogie Association and the GAA for their work with my Department to achieve this UNESCO recognition.”

Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. The Convention was established to safeguard, appreciate, and raise awareness of cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally. Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, refers to customs, traditions, crafts, games, and practices that are part of people’s lives and identities both individually and as part of wider communities, and that are passed on from generation to generation

Hurling, which is used to denote the entire game, including camogie, as played by men, women and children, is Ireland’s second inscription on the Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping, was officially inscribed last year.

The submission for this inscription was led by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with the GAA and the Camogie Association.

Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: “The decision of UNESCO to award the prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage status to the game of hurling is yet another high point in what has been a quite exceptional 2018 for the game. Coming on the back of what was yet another exceptional summer of Championship hurling, this UNESCO award is international recognition for our native game and an acknowledgement of its cultural, social and sporting importance to the People of Ireland. It reaffirms the fact that Hurling is more than just a sport. It is a national treasure; an ancient tradition that connects us to our Celtic past and a part of our DNA. At a time of unprecedented popularity for the Game here, we owe a debt of gratitude to the generations of people who preserved, protected and promoted the game at school, club and county levels so that it would survive and thrive for our benefit. All of us involved in the Association are charged with ensuring that the promotional work we undertake preserves Hurling for future generations.”

Kathleen Woods, President of the Camogie Association said: “It is a great honour for Camogie to receive this prestigious international recognition which illustrates the integral role which Hurling and Camogie play in Irish life and the great history associated with our games. I am delighted for all of our wonderful volunteers and players that our unique games have been recognised as they are the lifeblood of our games. I wish to thank Minister Madigan and her colleagues within the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as well as our colleagues in the GAA for their hard work and support with this submission.”

A Charter for Disability Sport

Nov 28, 2018

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, today launched Ireland’s first ever Sport Inclusion Disability Charter. The Federation of Irish Sport, the FAI and Kildare LSP were among the first organisations to sign up to the charter.

The charter, which was developed by Cara (Sport-Inclusion-Ireland) in conjunction with Sport Ireland, outlines five key areas people with disabilities are asking organisations to consider in making active and healthy lifestyles possible for them.

Speaking at the launch at Leinster House, which was attended by representatives from the sport, health, disability and education sectors, Minister Ross said: “Everyone, no matter what their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity at a level of their choosing. This Sport Inclusion Disability Charter is an important development for Irish sport, which demonstrates the sector’s commitment to increasing the number of opportunities for people with a disability. I would like to commend Cara, Sport Ireland and all those involved with the production of this charter.”

Sport and physical activity are central to the fabric of life in Ireland. As citizens of this state, people with disabilities have a right to be active within their local communities. To truly understand what it is like for a person with a disability to be active in Ireland, Cara, with the support of the Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnership network, coordinated nationwide focus groups with people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities where they shared their experiences, challenges and needs.

Highlighting the goals of Sport Ireland’s Policy on the Participation of People with Disabilities in Sport and the key actions set out within the National Sports Policy (2018-2027) to address the participation gradient that exists in relation to people with disabilities and their participation in sport and physical activity, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said: “Sport Ireland is committed to the equal treatment of all people when it comes to their participation in sport. This commitment was formalised through the publication of Sport Ireland’s Policy on Participation in Sport by People with Disabilities last year that outlines strong guiding principles which will make sure that we have a coordinated approach to ensure that the delivery of the sector’s efforts are more effective and accountable.

“The development of a charter is one of the key actions contained in the policy and is aligned with the new National Sports Policy. We are encouraging all organisations involved in the provision of sport and physical activity opportunities to adopt the charter as we look to make Irish sport as accessible as possible.”

Over 140 people with a disability who are both active and inactive were asked about their experiences, challenges and needs in relation to their participation in sport and physical activity. From the vast feedback received, the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter was developed, which clearly outlines five key areas people with disabilities are asking all organisations to consider in increasing opportunities for them in sport and physical activity:

Be open to and understanding of all people with disabilities
Access training for our people to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities
Develop and deliver inclusive activities
Review our facility/venues/equipment to make our organisation more accessible
Promote the inclusive nature of our activities, in a variety of formats

Among the first signatories and attending the launch today were the Federation of Irish Sport, the Football Association of Ireland, and Kildare Sports Partnership who in signing the Charter highlighted its significance.

Managing Director of Cara, Niamh Daffy, added: “It is hoped that this Charter will be a catalyst for change which will lead to a unified approach to increasing awareness, increasing opportunities and ultimately increasing the participation of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity across Ireland”.

The Sport Inclusion Disability Charter will be presented at the National Seminar for Inclusion which is a joint event between Cara and Sport Ireland taking place on the 29th of November in the Castleknock Hotel Dublin. More information on the charter can be found at www.caracentre.ie or by contacting Doireann Ni Mhuircheartaigh at dnimhuircheartaigh@caracentre.ie.

Image Credit: Inpho.ie

Getting to Know … 2Into3

Nov 28, 2018

As part of a monthly feature, we get to know a little more about the organisations and the individuals that support the work of the Federation.

This month it’s the turn of Dennis O’Connor of 2Into3, who earlier this year made his international Hockey debut.

Can you tell us a little about how your business partners with the Federation and its members?

We provide consulting, recruitment and research services to the Federation and its members. Over the last year for example we helped: the Irish Sailing Foundation raise philanthropic investment for high-performance sailing: Cricket Ireland build the capacity of its clubs to apply for Sports Capital Grants and fundraise and supported a range of Clubs make their own application from G.A.A, Soccer, Rugby, Hockey and Cricket.

What is one of the issues that you might be able to solve?

Currently, Sport receives some 2 per cent of the €1 Billion philanthropic income available to Ireland’s Not-for-Profit sector. The potential is there to increase this to €100m per annum. We would like to help the Federations members access this level of investment.

What is your personal background in sport?

I played soccer at College and coached U.C.C to Crowley Cup title.

I’m a lifelong Cork Hurling supporter attending every All Ireland (with Cork) since 1976.

My other passion as a supporter is for Munster Rugby dating back to my school days at P.B.C Cork.

Later in life, I discovered Hockey and have attained my coaching credentials as a Hockey Ireland Level 1 Coach.  On weekends you might find me living the dream as  Player Manager with Avoca Men’s 3rds, and earlier in 2018 I made my debut with the Hockey Ireland Veterans team for over 55’s

What do you find most interesting about working in and around the sporting sector?

Witnessing High Performance and seeing the joy that participation brings.

What was the last sports event you attended?

I was in Cork for the brilliant Liam Miller charity match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in September between Manchester United Legends and Celtic/Ireland legends.

If you had an open ticket which sporting event around the world would you attend?

I’d love to attend Game 7 of a Major League Baseball World Series, preferably with the Boston Red Sox playing.  

And if you could arrange for one victory for a sports team or star that matters to you what would it be?

Munster winning the Heineken Champions Cup in May 2019 at St. James’ Park

Basketball’s Teaching Potential

Nov 27, 2018

The National Basketball Arena was the focus of all of the action for the 2018 Dublin Primary Schools’ Mini Basketball League finals this week, as over 1,000 children took to the court for a big festival of basketball.

Throughout the finals, 1,110 children played in the games, with 76 children officiating and more than 2,000 supporters on hand to cheer them all on.

76 school teams were clustered in local groups, and then were ranked in their cluster and paired for the finals in Tallaght. The Dublin Primary Schools Mini-Basketball League finals use the 4v4 format with teams of 12 players and six periods. All children participate in two periods per game. This format encourages more fundamental movement learning opportunities. All children are awarded a participation medal and the winning schools are presented with a trophy. Two children from each school act as scorekeepers and timekeepers.

This educational approach to sport and physical activity is very much in keeping with the Primary School PE Curriculum and the newly published National Sports Policy.

Kellie’s Simply Champion

Nov 26, 2018

Team Ireland arrived home from the 10th World Elite Women’s Championships in New Delhi, India yesterday to a hero’s welcome.

Kellie Harrington claimed lightweight gold at the tournament after topping the 60kg podium following five wins in eight days at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The St Mary’s BC (Dublin) orthodox thanked all for what she described as phenomenal support during the competition.

Ireland finished in 6th spot in the medals table in India.

Head coach Zaur Antia and Dmitry Dimitruk were working Ireland’s corner in New Delhi.

Image: Kellie Harrington with St Mary’s BC and Irish coach Noel Burke at Dublin Airport today.

The full rundown on the performance of the Irish team was as follows. Well done to everyone involved

51kg Ceire Smith (Virginia) (Last 16)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown) (Last 16)

60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s) (Gold)

64kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan) (Q/Finals)

69kh Grainne Walsh (Sparticus) (Last 16)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) (Last 16)

Team manager: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Zaur Antia & Dmitry Dimitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte