Minister Joe McHugh has revealed a Government grant of more than €100,000 for Na Dúnaibh to cement the community’s dedication to building momentum around culture and the Irish language.
Deputy McHugh has urged the community of Na Dúnaibh to build on the success and legacy of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta.
“The days, weeks and months leading up to this weekend have seen a huge buy-in from the local people with anyone and everyone giving their time, skills and experience to help put on a top tournament,” Mr McHugh said.
“There is a clear opportunity to build on the legacy of this.
“Na Dúnaibh has the state of the art facilities and it has the community spirit. You couldn’t put a price tag on the value these investments bring, whether it is the GAA club itself, the people or their passion.
“The way that Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta has captured the imagination here should be held up as example to any community bidding to be hosts.”
It is the first time since 1986 that the competition has been held in Na Dúnaibh and 29 teams from across Gaeltacht regions took part, as well as clubs from Dublin and Belfast.
Mr McHugh said: “CLG Na Dúnaibh have developed top class facilities on the shores of north Donegal – helped along the way with €120,000 in Sports Capital grants and more than €70,000 in funding supports from Roinn na Gaeltachta.
“The club also placed a huge emphasis on fundraising themselves and continue to do so.
“Na Dúnaibh already has one of the most scenic pitch settings in the country and now, with Government and community support, it has facilities to match.
“Combine that with the huge respect that there is for the people of the area and the work of Céim Aniar Teo to promote and preserve the Irish language, they are an inspiration.
“From speaking to locals I sense that they are determined to keep building on that reputation.
“With that in mind as Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands I am confident the Government will be able to repay those efforts with further grant support of more than €100,000 for the community in the next few weeks.
“It’s also a mark of the success of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta – not forgetting the huge appeal of Na Dúnaibh and Ros Goill – that teams from Dublin and Belfast competed this year.
“Congratulations to the 29 teams, men and women who took part and especially to the finalists.”
An Teachta Joe McHugh thar a bheith bródúil as Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta
Beidh an Rialtas in ann na hiarrachtaí sin a aisíoc le tuilleadh tacaíochta deontais de níos mó ná €100,000 don phobal Na Dúnaibh sna seachtainí amach romhainn.
Mhol an Teachta Dála Joe McHugh do phobal na nDúnaibh cur leis an gaisce agus an oidhreacht atá bainte amach acu agus Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta a eagrú sa cheantar.
“Sna laethanta, seachtaine agus míonna a chuaigh thart bhí tacaíocht an phobail le feiceáil go soiléir agus gach duine ag tabhairt am, scileanna agus taithí, le croí mhór mhaith, le comórtas den chead scoth a eagrú. Tá deis iontach ann anois cur leis an oidhreachta seo,” a dúirt McHugh.
“Tá áiseanna den chead scoth agus spiorad pobail sna Dúnaibh. Ní fhéadfá praghas a chur ar nahinfheistíochtaí seo, bíodh sé sa chumann CLG féin, sna daoine nó ina bpaisean.
“Ba cheart an bealach a chuaigh Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta i bhfeidhm ar phobal na nDúnaibh agus Ros Goill á úsáid mar shampla do phobail eile atá suim acu an comórtas seo a reáchtáil sa todchaí.”
Thóg 29 foireann ó cheantair Gaeltachta ar rud na tíre, chomh maith le foirne ó Bhaile Átha Cliatha agus Béal Feirste, páirt sa chomórtas a reáchtáladh sna Dúnaibh don chead uair ó 1986.
“Tá áiseanna ar dóigh forbartha ag CLG na nDunaibh in aice le cladaigh thuaisceart Dhún na nGall le tacaíocht ó dheontas de €120,000 ón Chlár Chaipitil Spóirt agus deontas de os cionn €70,000 ó Roinn na Gaeltachta”, a dúirt McHugh.
“Chuir an chlub iad féin béim mhór an gníomhaíochta tiomsaithe airgid thar na mbliana, cleachtas atá a chur i bhfeidhm acu i gcónaí.”
“Tá suíomh páirceanna peile CLG na nDúnaibh ar cheann de na cinn is deise sa tír agus anois, le tacaíocht an Rialtais agus an phobail, tá áiseanna acu a chuireann leis an áilleacht sin.”
“Tá moladh agus meas mór sa cheantar don obair atá faoi bhun ag Céim Aniar Teo agus iad ag obair go dian ar son caomhnú agus dul chun cinn na Gaeilge.
“Agus é sin san áireamh agus mé mar Aire don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileán, táim cinnte go mbeidh an Rialtas in ann na hiarrachtaí sin a aisíoc le tuilleadh tacaíochta deontais de níos mó ná €100,000 don phobal sna seachtainí amach romhainn.
“Is comhartha é freisin an rath a bhí ag Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta – gan dearmad a dhéanamh ar an t-achomharc ollmhór atá ag Na Dunaibh agus Ros Goill – gur ghlac foirne ó Bhaile Átha Cliath agus ó Bhéal Feirste páirt i mbliana.
“Comhghairdeas leis na 29 foireann, fir agus mná, a ghlac páirt sa comórtas, agus go háirithe do na hiomaitheoirí sa chluiche ceannais.”
