GAA volunteers honoured at special event highlighting 2017
AS Sligo is the 2017 European Capital of Volunteering, Sligo GAA held its own evening celebrating the endeavours of volunteers in running the GAA. The event was held in the Centre of Excellence, Scarden last Wednesday.
Gerry O’Connor, Sligo GAA Secretary, said they were delighted to partner with Sligo Volunteer Centre and Sligo County Council in publicising the many volunteer activities taking place during 2017.
The crucial roles volunteers play in shaping the GAA was highlighted by the main speakers, which included MEP Marian Harkin and Sligo County Council CEO, Ciarán Hayes.
Guests included Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Hubert Keaney and Mayor of Sligo Municipal District, Cllr Marie Casserly.
Without the many volunteers throughout both the rural and urban communities, the GAA would not be able to flourish and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes was highlighted at the launch.
Ciara Heritty, manager of Sligo Volunteer Centre and MEP Marian Harkin were credited for their work along with Sligo County Council in Sligo receiving the prestigious title of European Capital of Volunteering 2017.
Tim Hynes, Chairman of Sligo GAA Games for All Committee, was the first speaker to address the audience. He said the many GAA activities in Sligo for the coming year are only possible due to the major efforts of time and energy from volunteers.
As the evening was held in the recently- constructed Centre of Excellence in Scarden, Mr Hynes said how it was only made possible through the very essence of volunteering in action.
He said: “One of the activities Sligo GAA are undertaking since Sligo is the European Volunteer Capital for 2017 is to honour two volunteers from each Club, and present them with a special scroll at the County Senior Football Final on Sunday 15th October in Markievicz Park.
“It is the perfect time for Sligo GAA to give its volunteers a thank you and remind them how important they are to the organisation and to their community.
“The honouring of GAA Club Volunteers aims to shine a light on the remarkable work of volunteers around the county and it is a unique opportunity to say thank you to ordinary people doing extraordinary work and also to acknowledge the volunteers who give their time, their passion and their commitment so generously to help make a difference in their community.”
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Hubert Keaney said volunteers are the backbone of the GAA community and their tireless work is never- ending. MEP Marian Harkin said the GAA has flourished around the world, saying how proud she was seeing her son play for Brussels GAA and credit must go to so many volunteers.
Ciara Heritty, manager of Sligo Volunteer Centre, added it was an honour for Sligo to become European Volunteering Capital after the likes of Barcelona, Lisbon and London. CEO of Sligo County Council, Ciarán Hayes, spoke of how the GAA provides people with so much in life, recalling first playing the sport as a young boy in Dublin and how the GAA gives many valuable lessons in life. Joe Taaffe, Chairman of the County Board, said that volunteers keep 26 clubs, along with the handball association and scór activities going.
“These are assisted by a small number of full- time staff who also volunteer their leisure time.
“These selfless members apart from their toil also contribute to fundraising activities, an essential part of the efforts to constantly improve infrastructure,” the Cathaoirleach said. And looking out the window at Scarden, here was a prime example of this.