Ahane Abú! Céilís and Community Spirit Bring Gold to Ahane:

​​Limerick Club makes history as the first non-Gaeltacht club in Munster to receive the GAA/Glór na nGael’s highest cultural honour.

​On Friday night, CLG Átháin (Ahane GAA Club), representing their GAA, LGFA, and Camogie codes, was awarded the Gold Award in the prestigious Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha (FSMD) scheme run by Glór na nGael and the GAA. The club received the accolade at a ceremony in Páirc an Chrócaigh (Croke Park) with over 280 clubs taking part in the program. ​Ahane is the first non-Gaeltacht GAA club in Munster, to achieve this highest level of national recognition, thanks to a year of vibrant Irish language and cultural activities.

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​The Gold Award acknowledges the success of a year-long programme led by Irish Language Officer, Maura Tierney, and the dedicated Culture Team. The club’s promotion of the language was evident across a wide range of activities, including a Community Sports and Culture Day celebrating Michael Cusack, a bingo and céilí for Seachtain na Gaeilge, four school blitzes as Gaeilge, a summer camp, a weekly youth club as Gaeilge, and monthly walking and ciorcal comhrá (conversation circle) group.

​Maura Tierney, Irish Language Officer, CLG Átháin, speaking about the impact of these events, said:

​”Winning this Gold Award is down to the sheer community spirit and the willingness of our members, young and old, as well as the wider parish—to embrace the language and culture. Seeing a full house enjoying themselves at our Bingo for CAM during Seachtain na Gaeilge, the excitement on the 200 children’s faces at a blitz as Gaeilge, or the ever-increasing numbers at our monthly Ciorcal Comhrá, shows that Irish is alive, well, and thriving here. This award is a validation of that collective energy.”

The club acknowledges the crucial support from partners across the county and province.

​Ahane GAA wishes to thank Veronica Calinan Muirne Bennis and Limerick County Boards (GAA and LGFA). Special thanks are also extended to Aedín Ní Bhriain, Irish Officer with Munster Council, for her continued and unwavering support in fostering Irish language use across Munster and Comhluadar Luimnigh for driving its development in Limerick.

​Donal Morrissey, Chairperson, CLG Átháin, highlighted the wider meaning of the award:

​”This huge cultural accolade is a powerful statement about the dedication and progress we are making as a club across all codes. ​The achievement follows the club’s recent Silver Award for Health and Wellbeing, demonstrating a commitment to success both on and off the pitch. It feels fantastic to bring a national gold award home to Ahane.”

​Ahane GAA would like to congratulate the four other Limerick clubs who received the Bronze Medal for their commitment to Irish language promotion in 2025:

Mungairit (Mungret St Paul’s),

Áth an tSléibhe (Athea),

Áth Dara (Adare), and

Fánaithe na Camóige (Camogue Rovers).

The team in Ahane looks forward to 2026, working again with Glór na nGael, Comhluadar Luimnigh, County boards and Munster Council, local schools, and Castleconnell Community groups to further the use of Irish and culture in our club and community.