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from Ireland, to Irish dance classes and an Irish Senior Citizens group. The
functions rooms are used for wedding receptions, with 75% of the total
bookings coming from people with Irish ethnicity.
Over the past twenty five years Ruislip has become synonymous with
London GAA. As an organisation London GAA is very proud of Ruislip.
However the ancillary facilities around Ruislip do not allow for London
GAA to host our fellow Gaels in a manner which London receives in every
county during visits in Ireland. In addition to our fellow Gaels, London
GAA wishes to be in a position to invite dignitaries to Ruislip and proudly
showcase the positive aspects of London GAA. The annual Connacht Senior
Football Championship game in Ruislip is of huge significance to all London
Gaels.
Ruislip in its current condition does not accommodate the needs of the
modern GAA spectators. The redevelopment of Ruislip aims to provide for
the following:
1.
a fit for purpose county ground that will
ensure the continued growth of London GAA,
benefitting all stakeholders of the GAA in London.
2.
a playing surface capable of matching the
needed playing hours.
3.
facilities for spectators comparable with
county grounds in Ireland.
Over the coming years we aim to increase the
numbers playing and staying in the game in London
and to attract more people to attend our games. It
will be important to maintain Ruislip as a primary
centre for culture and heritage. We want to leave a
legacy for future generations of the GAA in London
to enjoy and to be proud of.
Irish TV secures naming rights for London GAA headquarters
London GAA and Irish TV have agreed a five-year naming rights
sponsorship for London’s Ruislip grounds that will place Ireland’s
first international TV channel at the centre of all GAA affairs in the UK
capital.
Ruislip will now be known as the Irish TV Grounds and the deal, worth
six figures, comes as London GAA prepare to develop a new €5 million
stadium at Ruislip in the coming months.
The redevelopment works at the Irish TV Grounds will see the
construction of a new 2,400 all-seater stand, four new dressing rooms,
new administration offices, car parking, media facilities, a small floodlit
training area and terracing.
The redevelopment at the Irish TV Grounds will bring the London GAA
facility up to the level of county standards across Ireland.
Welcoming the sponsorship GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said:
“The new redeveloped Ruislip will be a beacon and it will be something
that people of Irish heritage and of no Irish heritage will be happy to
come too. It is going to be very special because Irish TV are a part of
it. Irish TV are new and they are fresh and exciting. They also know that
wherever the Irish go, we go there too.
“I have travelled a lot of the world and no matter where I go I meet
Irish TV. They are always with you - in the small places, for the small
36 Issue 09
man, for the big man, for the little people, for the 'cois muintir na tire'
and I congratulate Irish TV for their acknowledgement of the 'plain
people', as Seán Ó Riordain the poet said - 'cois muintir na tire seo'
- the ordinary plain people of Ireland. Thank you Irish TV for standing
side-by-side with me and the GAA. We are delighted to have you as
partners," he said.
Irish TV, who broadcast on Sky channel 191, Freesat 400, eVision 191
and online at www.irishtv.ie, are now set to play a central role in the
promotion of Gaelic Games overseas.
There are 33 clubs affiliated to the London County Board with over 50
teams at adult level.
“Irish TV has its finger on the pulse of community and sporting life in
London and in the UK and they are the perfect title sponsor for our new
grounds,” said London GAA Chairperson Noel O’Sullivan.
“The Irish TV Grounds will be 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 in the UK.
“We have worked very closely with Irish TV over the past two years
and their commitment to club, county and country is exemplary.”
Irish TV CEO Pierce O’Reilly said he was looking forward to working
with the GAA on this project.
“Over the past two years we have developed an excellent relationship
with Croke Park and the GAA and we see this partnership with London
GAA as a key milestone in cementing that relationship,” said Mr O’Reilly.
“These historic grounds have provided a safe first port of call for
thousands of emigrants over the past century and we hope that legacy
continues into the future.
“Our sponsorship recognises the central role of the GAA in the Irish
emigrant community in London and in the UK.
“Irish TV connects Irish communities across the globe with home and
the GAA plays a pivotal role in reaching out to the diaspora.”