Gaeltacht Sports Facilities to receive Over €500,000 in Funding Boost
Table of Contents
- 1. Gaeltacht Sports Facilities to receive Over €500,000 in Funding Boost
- 2. New Facilities Aim to Support Community Growth
- 3. Kilcarth GAA Prepares for National event
- 4. Cloughaneely Golf Club to Unveil Modern Clubhouse
- 5. Ruagairí an Céidh Soccer Club Receives Renovation Funds
- 6. What infrastructural needs of the recipient clubs were addressed by the grants?
- 7. Background on the €508,872 Gaeltacht Sports‑Facility Grants
- 8. Key Grant details
Donegal, Ireland – December 15, 2025 – A notable investment of up to €508,872 has been approved for sports infrastructure improvements across three clubs in the donegal Gaeltacht region, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, announced today. The funding, allocated through the Department’s community and Language Support Program, aims to enhance sporting opportunities and support the vibrant cultural landscape of the Irish-speaking areas.
New Facilities Aim to Support Community Growth
The grants will facilitate both renovations of existing structures and the construction of entirely new facilities, benefiting Kilcarth GAA, Ruagairí an Céidh Soccer Club, and Cloughaneely Golf Club. The investment underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering both sporting and linguistic communities within the Gaeltacht.
Kilcarth GAA Prepares for National event
Kilcarth GAA (CLG Chill Chartha) will receive €116,894 to construct new changing rooms for its training field. This upgrade is particularly timely, as the club is set to host the prestigious Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta in 2026, a national Gaelic football tournament that draws clubs from across Ireland. The new facilities will significantly improve the experience for visiting teams and players. Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta is a key event in the Gaelic sports calendar.
Cloughaneely Golf Club to Unveil Modern Clubhouse
The largest portion of the funding,€327,561,is earmarked for Cloughaneely Golf Club in Falcarragh. This substantial grant will enable the construction of a brand-new clubhouse,featuring a extensive range of amenities. The new building will include office space, changing rooms, storage, daily lockers, a dedicated social area, a fully-equipped kitchen, a bar, and modern bathroom facilities. Golf in Ireland has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with visitor numbers increasing by 15% in 2024 according to Golf Ireland.
Ruagairí an Céidh Soccer Club Receives Renovation Funds
Ruagíri an Céidh Soccer Club, based in Alt a’ Corráin, will benefit from a €64,417 grant dedicated to renovating its existing changing rooms and the referee’s room. These improvements will provide a more comfortable and functional habitat for players and officials.
What infrastructural needs of the recipient clubs were addressed by the grants?
Background on the €508,872 Gaeltacht Sports‑Facility Grants
the Republic of Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions-areas where Irish (Gaeilge) is the community language-have long been the focus of targeted state investment. From the 1990s onward, successive governments have set up a network of programmes aimed at preserving the language, fostering cultural activities, and improving rural livelihoods. Central to this effort is the Community and Language support Program (CLSP),administered by the Department of Rural and Community Growth (DRCD). CLSP funding is earmarked for projects that simultaneously boost community cohesion, support the Irish language, and enhance local infrastructure.
Sport has been recognised as a key vehicle for community development in the Gaeltacht. Gaelic games, association football, and golf are especially popular, providing social hubs that reinforce both physical health and cultural identity. Between 2016 and 2022, the DRCD allocated roughly €12 million to Gaeltacht sport facilities, financing new clubhouses, pitch resurfacing, and the installation of flood‑lighting. The most recent round of funding, announced in December 2025, continues this trajectory, delivering a total of €508,872 to three clubs in Donegal’s irish‑speaking districts.
The 2025 grants were approved by Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.Calleary,appointed to the portfolio in June 2024,has placed particular emphasis on “dual‑purpose” projects that pair sport‑related upgrades with language‑promotion initiatives-such as bilingual signage,Gaelic‑language coaching resources,and community‑learning spaces. The three beneficiaries-Kilcar GAA, Cloughaneely Golf Club, and Ruagairí an Céidh Soccer Club-each received funding tailored to their most pressing infrastructural needs, ranging from new changing rooms to a full‑scale clubhouse.
These investments not only improve the quality of sport provision but also reinforce the strategic objective of retaining younger generations in the Gaeltacht. by offering modern, functional facilities, the grants aim to make participation in local clubs more attractive, thereby supporting both the physical well‑being of residents and the ongoing vitality of the Irish language.
Key Grant details
| Recipient club | Location (Gaeltacht) | Grant Amount (€) | Primary Use of Funds | Announcement Date | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilcar GAA (CLG Chill Chartha) | Kilcar, Donegal |
