Kerry woman behind change to New York park

A north Kerry woman is spearheading the re-development of New York's Gaelic Park.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced a grant of €500,000 towards the redevelopment of the famous stadium in the Bronx.

The iconic GAA location has been a home for Gaelic games in New York City since 1926. It has long been at the epicentre of Irish culture and heritage in New York, with New York GAA having been established in 1914.

Between 350 to 400 players from nursery age to adult senior level use the playing facility of Gaelic Park weekly. Aside from the activity on the field, Gaelic Park is a crucial focal point for the Irish community in New York and is a long-established support structure for generations of Irish diaspora who have lived, worked and studied in the region. New York remains a centre for Gaelic games activity with 50 clubs operating there.

“As Irish communities across the United States evolve, the GAA has an important part to play in keeping Irish people in the US connected to home. The Association also helps us to connect new generations of Irish-Americans to their Irish culture and heritage, as well as those from other backgrounds who have an affinity for Ireland,” Martin said during his St Patrick’s Day visit to New York.

The current chairperson of the New York County GAA board is Joan Henchy.

She was born in New York in 1966 but her family returned to Kerry when she was still a child and she grew up in Tarbert. Her father was the Fianna Fáil politician Dan Kiely.

"The school community and the wider Pobal Gaeilge in Tralee are looking forward to moving into the new campus in the coming weeks," Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, Principal at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, said. "It is fantastic to see this project completed," Ann O'Dwyer, Director of Schools, Youth and Music, added.

"This new state-of-the-art building will greatly add to the high standard of teach- ing and learning by providing excellent facilities for students and staff and allowing the school to provide a broader curriculum. Students from up to 40 different primary schools attend Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. We look forward to seeing that number grow with the new facilities in the school."

Cathaoirleach of Kerry ETB Cllr. Jim Finucane stated that the delivery of this new building for the staff and students of the Gaelcholáiste has been a long-held goal for the ETB.

"We are delighted to have received the keys of the new school building and I compliment the work of the Design Team led by Oppermann Associates and Vision Contracting Ltd. We look forward to the new school opening in April."

NEW SCHOOL: Kerry ETB CEO Colm McEvoy, Director of Organisation Support Maria Brennan, Chairperson Cllr. Jim Finucane, Príomhoide Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, Príomhoide Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Michele Sweeney Director at Oppermann Associates, Ann O’Dwyer Director of Schools Youth and Music and Dónal Ó Ruanaidh Príomhoide Tánaisteach Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.