Northern Ireland

Gaelic Games booklets for children aimed at encouraging families to 'connect with the GAA'

Michael Gerard Ó Dochartaigh launching 'Live, Learn, Love' Gaelic Games' booklets with Antrim players Niamh Enright, Padraig McBride, Niall McKenna and Dúana Colman in the Culturlann as part of the Féile na Carraige community festival in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
Michael Gerard Ó Dochartaigh launching 'Live, Learn, Love' Gaelic Games' booklets with Antrim players Niamh Enright, Padraig McBride, Niall McKenna and Dúana Colman in the Culturlann as part of the Féile na Carraige commun Michael Gerard Ó Dochartaigh launching 'Live, Learn, Love' Gaelic Games' booklets with Antrim players Niamh Enright, Padraig McBride, Niall McKenna and Dúana Colman in the Culturlann as part of the Féile na Carraige community festival in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

GAELIC Games booklets for children aimed at encouraging families to "connect with the GAA" have been officially launched, including an Irish translation resource.

The brainchild of a Belfast school teacher, the booklets were unveiled earlier this year and just six months later, amid continuing demand, Michael Gerard Ó Dochartaigh has now also launched an Irish language version.

Speaking after the official launch during the Féile na Carraige community festival in west Belfast, Mr Ó Dochartaigh said he hoped the the 'Live, Learn, Love Gaelic Games' series would "spark meaningful conversations between parents and children".

A teacher at Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh and a juvenile coach at Pádraig Sáirséil, he created the series during lockdown - one for football, one for hurling and camogie.

Aimed at children aged 5 to 12, the booklets "help create, nurture and enhance the bond between individuals, their families, coaches, club and community using the values and benefits of Gaelic Games".

Mr Ó Dochartaigh said the resources could "help every member of your family to connect with the GAA".

"It's an opportunity for parents to sit down and actively engage with their children," he said.

"It's helping families to have that conversation and try to use the GAA setting to bring it into more homes.

"They are part skill sheet, part photo album, part scrapbook, offering a chance to learn and a chance to bond. They've proved hugely popular with clubs across Ireland already."

For more information, please visit www.livelearnlovegaelicgames.com