GAA award Irish bursaries to 36 members Down GAA County Board have presented grants to 36 recipients from the 2009 Gaeltacht Grants Scheme. The grants have been awarded to school students (who are members of the GAA in Down) attending Irish Colleges/Courses in the summer of 2009.

The awards were presented at Dún Eigse in Castlewellan last week by John Devaney (Irish and Culture Officer w

ith Down GAA Board). Also in attendance were 

Eamon Mac Ruairí and Marcas Mac Ruairí (members of the Down GAA Irish Language Committee).

The Scéím Deontais Gaeltachta is an annual scheme which aims to aid school students in paying for their summer Gaeltacht course fees and according to John Devaney is “an important contribution as it alleviates some of the cost burden for these young people and their parents”.

“Gaeltacht courses and colleges play a very important role in the promotion and development of the Irish language and we are keen to promote the benefits to all young people, regardless of their knowledge or proficiency of the language”. “Our scheme has grown year on year, and this time we have presented more grants than ever before. There are 36 recipients who are members of 17 clubs from across the county.”