Rosemount GAA has received funding from the GAA Walking Tracks Initiative, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, and the President of the GAA (Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael ) Larry McCarthy, confirmed this week.
The progressive South Westmeath club was allocated funding of €10,000 as part of the initiative provided by Healthy Ireland and designed to make community walking tracks located on GAA grounds more accessible to more people.
Almost 340 applications were received and following a comprehensive evaluation process by a selection committee, 54 clubs across 26 counties were successful.
“The GAA is at the heart of every community it serves, and this funding from Healthy Ireland enables clubs to expand their impact by improving their walking infrastructure, creating safe and inclusive spaces for people of all ages and mobilities.
“By delivering upgrades such as lighting and improved surfaces, our clubs are helping to empower people to stay active all year round. The exceptionally high number of applications illustrates the public demand for these amenities, in particular in rural areas where access to safe spaces for walking can be limited," GAA president Larry McCarthy, stated.
Local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, welcomed the funding announcement which will enable upgrades such as lighting and improved surfaces.
“These upgrades will help our clubs to empower people to stay active all year round by creating safe and inclusive spaces for people of all ages and mobilities.
“Walking tracks in GAA clubs open to the community play an invaluable role in fostering local social connections and by expanding access to their facilities, they are helping to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who uses them. Walking is a great activity opening to most of the population, and we have seen the great benefit of walking in local networks being promoted through shows like Operation Transformation.
“I’d like to commend Rosemount GAA and all clubs across Westmeath for their wonderful contribution to their communities and I want to thank the GAA for the significant work involved in the process. They allow the entire community to use their facilities, which are often the backbone of our local communities. I know myself, how better I feel after getting out for a walk at night time, even if it’s just a short one," Deputy Burke stated.
