Proposals, Pearse Park and prizewinners

GAA President Jarlath Burns was in attendance recently as Scotland GAA launched its new strategic plan. Following on from the previous plan, Alba 2030 was launched at Clydebank Community Sports Hub (above), with the ambition to build a county that is sustainable, connected, inclusive and equipped for the future.

Covering the period from 2027-2030, the ambitious plan aims to:

—Establish a Club Alba as a fundraising and engagement entity

—Lead the way in continuing to work towards a ‘one county’ model of Gaelic Games

—Achieve gender-balanced opportunities across all codes and within governance

—Shift from delivering not only schools coaching but curriculum-based Gaelic Games within PE provision

—Double the number of qualified coaches and referees across every code and level

—Build long-term strategic partnerships with education, local authorities, businesses and national governing bodies

—Increase registered playing membership by 50 per cent

Pearse Park

Central to the plans is the delivery of Pearse Park in Cambuslang, which was visited by the GAA president and the County Board delegation during Championship Finals weekend.

“The absence of a permanent home and appropriate facilities has constrained Gaelic Games in Scotland for too long,” Jennifer Treacy, Chairperson of Scotland GAA, said. “Redeveloping Pearse Park as a home for Gaelic Games, culture and community is not simply another objective within Alba 2030; it is fundamental to our long-term future and will create a lasting legacy for generations to come.

“None of this can be achieved without our people. Our coaches, referees, administrators, parents and volunteers are the foundation of our association and recruiting, developing, supporting and recognising them will remain a priority.

“Alba 2030 must ultimately be a plan for delivery. By 2030, success will not simply be measured by participation numbers, but by the strength of the structures, pathways, resources and facilities we leave in place.

“Together, we have an opportunity to build a stronger Scotland GAA—stronger clubs, meaningful games, sustainable structures, inclusive communities and finally a home of our own.”

Award winners

As well as taking in the Scottish Senior Men’s Football Final, Jarlath was also on hand to announce the winners of Scotland GAA’s 2025 Awards.

County Volunteer of the Year went to Finbarr McCarthy of Dalriada, Club Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Julia Howard of Tír Conaill Harps, while Paul Kerr and James Murphy from Coatbridge Davitts took the Managers of the Year accolade.

“Well done to these three award winners in the 2025 County Awards,” a Scotland GAA spokesperson said. “Each of these individuals—and so many others—wear multiple hats throughout their club and county. We're grateful for our volunteers and their dedication to the sport and organisation. We're looking forward to them joining us at the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball in March as a thank you.”

The Special Recognition Award went to the late Paul Hamill of Stirling Carrigans. Paul became involved a few weeks after Stirling launched and was instrumental in using his community links to build relationships with businesses, organisations and local councillors.

Paul was committed to ensuring high levels of governance and was a very active committee member. He was able to use his knowledge and experience to find and apply for local grants, which were fundamental to the club’s development. He also made a key contribution to the youth development effort that Carrigans are working on currently.

Sadly, Paul passed away last year following a long battle with illness. Amazingly, he insisted on a collection for Stirling Carrigans youth development at his funeral, which was an incredible gesture and a reflection of his commitment to supporting his local community and Irish heritage.

Last but by no means least was the Contribution to Irish Culture in Scotland Award, which went to Danny Boyle of St Roch’s Marching/Céilí Band and BEMIS Scotland (above).

Danny organised the 2025 and 2026 Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parades and helped facilitate the band’s trip to lead the 2025 London St Patrick’s Festival Parade, their performance at Celtic Connections 2025 and their memorable participation at Donegal vs Meath match at Croke Park on All-Ireland semi-final day.

A member of the Irish Minstrels Branch of Comhaltas for more than 30 years, Danny has performed with its céilí bands and grúpaí cheoil. He is a three-time All-Ireland medal winner—Solo Drums (2003), Senior Grúpai Cheoil (2007) and Miscellaneous Marching Bands (2024). He also formerly played Senior Football for Tír Conaill Harps GAA Club.

As Chair of Glasgow’s St Patrick’s Festival from 2010–2012, Danny helped establish the Merchant City St Patrick’s Festival Family Day and the Emerald Irish Lunch Club—both of which continue today.

As Executive Director of BEMIS Scotland, Danny works to advance equality, human rights, cultural development and community cohesion. He has raised awareness of issues affecting Scotland’s Irish community at Scottish and UK Government level and through European and United Nations forums concerned with the protection of cultural minority rights, contributing to greater recognition of Irish cultural rights and identity in Scotland.

Gratitude

“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the GAA for the honour of receiving the 2025 Contribution to Irish Culture Award,” Danny said. “It’s genuinely humbling to receive recognition like this, particularly when you consider that everything we achieve in our community is very much a collective effort.

“There is no St Roch’s Marching Band without the dedication of over 40 volunteers. Equally, there is no Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade without thousands of volunteers, committed families and the incredible organisations working tirelessly across our communities. Whether through the GAA, Irish dancing, music, language, history or welfare support, there are so many people doing extraordinary work to keep our culture alive and thriving.

“That’s why recognition from your peers means so much. I sincerely hope these awards go on to enjoy a long and illustrious future, celebrating the people and organisations who contribute so much to Irish life.”

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees across every category,” Danny continued. “I’d particularly like to acknowledge my fellow nominees, Sarah Sullivan from Ceann Creige and Gerard Gough from The Irish Voice. As chance would have it, Sarah and Gerard were two of the very first people I contacted when St Roch’s set out to re-establish the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade in 2025.

“I know firsthand how hard they both work and how much they contribute to our community. They have always been enthusiastic supporters of anything we’ve asked them to get involved in, and both are a real credit to the Irish community in Glasgow. It was a privilege to be nominated alongside them.

“I’d also like to offer a special thanks to GAA Chairperson Jenn Treacy for her personal support in helping facilitate the invitation from Jarlath Burns and the GAA for St Roch’s to perform at half-time during the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park.”

Danny also took time to look back on 2025, which he described as ‘an extraordinary year for St Roch’s Marching Band,’ having hosted their headline gig at Celtic Connections, led the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade, travelled south to lead the London St Patrick’s Day Parade and then had the unforgettable experience of performing in front of a sold-out Croke Park.

“It was a unique year in the band’s history, and one that everyone involved can be immensely proud of,” Danny said. “These experiences don’t happen by accident. They are the result of years of commitment, hard work, friendship and a shared love of our culture. And we’re certainly not finished yet! In 2027, the band will travel to Donegal to take part in the Easter parades in Annagry and Dungloe, something we're all incredibly excited about.”

Danny also sang the praises of Tír Conaill Harps and fellow award-winner—and band member—Julia Howard, who have agreed to take on responsibility for 2027 and 2028’s parades.

“We’re looking forward to getting right behind Julia and everyone at Tír Conaill Harps as they take the parade forward. Having seen the enthusiasm and goodwill that exists across our community, I’ve no doubt that Glasgow's Irish organisations, families and volunteers will once again come together to make the 2027 celebrations something special.

“Ultimately, that’s what all of this is about. The friendships, the organisations, the volunteers and the generations of families who give their time to ensure our culture continues to flourish.

“I’m extremely grateful for this personal recognition, but I see it as a reflection of the collective efforts of so many brilliant people that I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. Thank you to the GAA, congratulations again to everyone recognised, and here's to many more years of celebrating the very best of our Irish community.”