Leave space for our local events

■ I write to you about a growing public concern in relation to the intrusion of major national recreational and sporting events on the life and future of local community occasions. This is especially true in the case of rural and small-town Ireland.

The recent ‘occupation’ of August weekends by major inter-county football and hurling matches by the GAA seems to me to raise serious questions for community leaders.

Local voluntary events (outdoor and indoor) contribute to the quality of life of the people.

These include, artistic, athletic, religious, sporting and recreational events, eg, angling and boating competitions, festivals and fleadhs, patterns and pilgrimages, rallies and various shows.

The mid-summer season, from late July to the end of August, was (and is) the traditional period of the year for such local events or occasions.

Many of them are being ‘suffocated’ by the powerful, media-backed events like the major GAA inter-county competitions. It can be compared to the impact of super- and mega-marts on local businesses.

No one can deny the very positive results of the contribution of the GAA to communities in Ireland over the years. For this reason, we are all greatly indebted to the voluntary dedication of so many leaders and participants.

It is in this context that I appeal to the Central Council of the GAA to repeal its decision to move its major matches from September to August and leave the mid-summer period to the local voluntary and community events. I appeal also to other organisations to do likewise.

If, however, major organisations and macro-media interests continue to intrude on the ability of local, voluntary, community-led events and occasions, then national and local government are, in my opinion, obliged to regulate the situation.

Such regulation must be in the interest of the overall quality of life of the people.

Micheal MacGreil, SJ Guardian of the Mamean Shrine, North Connemara, Co Galway