Northern Ireland

GAA praise ‘steadfast’ support of Irish government following €50m Casement Park pledge

Ulster GAA chiefs pictured in Belfast on Tuesday with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Ulster GAA chiefs pictured in Belfast on Tuesday with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
By Paul Ainsworth

The GAA has said the Irish government’s investment of €50m in Casement Park will leave a lasting legacy “for all of society” in the north.

The package to redevelop the home of Gaelic Games in Co Antrim is part of Dublin’s €800m funding for cross-border projects, and the GAA has said the long-awaited redevelopment of Casement Park will now happen “at pace” after clearance work got underway this week.

Casement Park has lain derelict since 2013, and the new 34,500 stadium will host Euro 2028 soccer games, after it was chosen by UEFA alongside Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Tom Daly, Ulster GAA Stadium Board Chairperson and Stephen McGeehan - Head of Operations & Project Sponsor for Casement Park following the announcement the Irish Government will be investing €50m in the landmark West Belfast stadium. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Tom Daly, Ulster GAA Stadium Board Chairperson and Stephen McGeehan - Head of Operations & Project Sponsor for Casement Park following the announcement the Irish Government will be investing €50m in the landmark West Belfast stadium. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann)

The expected cost of the new venue has yet to be confirmed, but some estimates have it up to £200m.

Ulster GAA stadium board chair Tom Daly said the Dublin boost “will leave a legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society”.

“Throughout the process the Taoiseach and all of government have been steadfast and consistent in their support for, and commitment to, helping Ulster GAA deliver a modern fit for purpose GAA stadium for the whole community,” he said.

“We also recognise that this will contribute significantly to both North South and East West relationships.”