Mayo Minister set to meet with top GAA officials

Mayo native and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, TD, will this afternoon meet with GAA President Jarlath Burns; Director General Tom Ryan and other senior GAA representatives to discuss issues of importance for rural Ireland as part of the Our Rural Future consultation process.

Our Rural Future is the whole-of-Government framework for the sustainable development of rural Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to development of a new Our Rural Future policy for the period from 2026. A widespread consultation process has been underway throughout 2025.

As the country’s largest sporting and voluntary organisation, the GAA is an essential component of the social and cultural fabric of many towns, villages and parishes across the country. GAA Clubs act as focal points for culture and identity, for volunteering and inclusion, and for community activity across generations.

Ministers Calleary and Buttimer extended the invitation to the GAA’s National Demographics Committee to outline to them the issues facing clubs in rural Ireland and afford the opportunity to hear about the importance of initiatives which support the continued sustainability of rural communities.

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Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Calleary said: “The GAA is deeply woven into the everyday life of rural Ireland. More than any other organisation, the GAA have a footprint in every parish in Ireland and know, more than most, what is needed to keep the heart beating in the community.

“GAA clubs provide a space where people come together, not only to play sport, but to volunteer, to catch up with neighbours, to socialise and, in times of need, to support one another. That is why the GAA’s perspective is so important to the next iteration of Our Rural Future.”

Minister Buttimer added: “Today’s meeting shows the breadth of the GAA’s contribution to rural life, from health and wellbeing to sustainability and community inclusion. As we consult widely on the future of rural policy, we look forward to the continued input of the GAA.”

GAA President Jarlath Burns said: "As a people-based games and cultural organisation, we must continue to be informed by demographic trends both rural and urban which impact on the future of the GAA across Ireland. Our National Demographics Committee have undertaken extremely important work which will inform how we can address these challenges and opportunities as we continue to attempt to cater for as many people as possible wherever they live across the island.

“The GAA alone cannot solve the demographic challenges facing our clubs.  With this in mind, we will continue to engage with the Government on our shared goal of supporting rural Ireland to thrive whilst helping us to create sufficient additional facilities to provide playing opportunities for those in urban centres. 

"We welcome the opportunity to engage with Ministers Calleary and Buttimer and wish them well with the development of the next Our Rural Future policy, which has the potential to have a positive impact on the lives of so many."

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will shortly be opening a period of public consultation on the new Our Rural Future policy. The consultation will take place via Gov.ie and will invite written submissions on the challenges and opportunities facing rural Ireland from interested organisations, stakeholder groups and members of the public.

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