Leitrim GAA Health and Wellbeing Initiatives launched recently

Below are excerpts from Bernie Mulligan Dolan’s speech at the recent launch of 2 initiatives in Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán MacDiarmada by the Leitrim GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee.

Signage was erected and launched as part of both initiatives at the entrance to the Stand area and in the Tunnel.  Well done to all involved on the excellent initiatives.

 

Samaritans – recognition of our partnership

“We’re really proud to launch this signage in our county GAA park as part of our partnership with the Samaritans – a charity that does incredible work supporting people when they’re
struggling.

This sign is simple, but powerful. It reminds us all that it’s okay not to be okay, and that there’s always someone to talk to- day or night, no matter what you’re going through.

The GAA is about more than sport- it’s about looking out for each other, on and off the pitch. And by teaming up with the Samaritans, we’re sending a clear message:

You’re never alone.  So let’s keep talking, keep supporting each other, and keep our County, Clubs and community strong-not just in body, but in mind and heart too.”

L-R: Frank Considine (Samaritans), Bernie Mulligan Dolan, Lisa Mulligan, Declan Bohan, Attracta O’Reilly, Lorraine Mulvey, Martin McCartin

 

Smoke and Vape Free Launch:

“This is a proud day for us in Leitrim GAA. By going smoke- and vape-free, we’re creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone who visits our grounds- especially our young people.
It’s about setting a positive example, protecting our members from second-hand smoke, and reinforcing the GAA’s role as a hub for healthy living.

We’re joining a number of individual Healthy Clubs across Leitrim who have already taken this step, and we’re proud to be leading by example in Leitrim County grounds.

A special word of thanks to Blanaid Carney, our committee member and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Officer / Stop Smoking Adviser, for all her help and guidance in getting us to
this point.”

 

L-R: Lorraine Mulvey, Attracta O’Reilly, Declan Bohan, Lisa Mulligan, Bernie Mulligan Dolan

 

 

Leitrim GAA & Samaritans – Signage Launch 2025

Smoke & Vape Free Launch 2025

 

Attached are Copies of the full speeches by Bernie Mulligan Dolan
Chairperson – Leitrim County Health & Wellbeing

 

21 clubs in Leitrim receive official accreditation in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme

In recognition of their outstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of members and communities, 21 clubs in Leitrim have officially been accredited as healthy clubs in the Irish Life
GAA Healthy Clubs programme in 2025 and will receive their awards Awards in Ballyhaunis on Wednesday next, 15th October.

This achievement is the result of nearly two years of dedicated work by teams of volunteers, who give freely of their time to ensure the GAA continues to be a driving force for health,
inclusion, and community spirit across Ireland. Of the total 21 clubs, 9 are receiving the award for the first, while the other 12 have renewed their accreditation for another 2 years demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme.

Healthy Club

  • Leitrim Gaels
  • Mohill
  • Gortletteragh
  • Allen Gaels
  • Annaduff
  • Ballinamore Sean O’ Heslin’s
  • Cloone
  • Fenagh-St Caillins
  • Melvin Gaels
  • Aughnasheelin
  • Cill Tiobraid
  • Achadh Mhaoláin
  • Achadh an Mheasa
  • Drumreilly

 

Silver

  • Bornacoola
  • St. Mary’s Kiltoghert

 

Gold

  • Carrigallen
  • St. Patrick’s Dromahair
  • Glencar/Manorhamilton
  • Eslin
  • Ballinaglera

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme, now in its twelfth year, has grown from a 2013 pilot involving just 16 clubs to engaging over 600 clubs nationwide. Along the way, it has gained
national and international recognition as a leading model for delivering health promotion through the unique setting of a sports club. Phase 6 of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs
programme involved 600 clubs and over 2,500 volunteers.

In the 2024–25 period alone, Healthy Clubs rolled out more than 2,828 initiatives, accessed 305,239 times by 152,619 individuals—many of whom had no prior involvement with their local
GAA club. Such scale and impact would not have been possible without the enduring support of title sponsors Irish Life, as well as the Tomar Trust, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and Healthy Ireland.

The clubs’ initiatives span a wide range of vital areas, including:

  • Physical activity: including the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs steps challenge, Ireland Lights up, exercise classes, and social Gaelic Games
  • Community development: supporting older members, youth leadership, and local charities
  • Mental health awareness and education: including Movember’s Ahead of the Game, a sports-based youth mental literacy workshop.
  • Diversity and inclusion: opportunities for people with additional needs and allyship with LGBTQ+ communities
  • Substance use and gambling awareness: smoke- and vape-free clubs and awareness raising
  • Healthy eating: such as providing healthy snacks at juvenile training and education workshops

To earn official accreditation as a Healthy Club, clubs must meet specific criteria over an 18-month cycle, with progress dependent on the capacity and dedication of their volunteer base.
Clubs can strive to achieve healthy club accreditation which includes silver and gold awards. Clubs engaged in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme have reported benefits such as
increased club membership, attracting new volunteers and a more welcoming and inclusive club environment.

County Health and Wellbeing Chair said:
Congratulations to all our Healthy Clubs on your great achievements. It’s fantastic to see 21 Leitrim clubs recognized as Healthy Clubs this year. Behind each one is a team of passionate volunteers, doing great work to make a real difference in our communities. In a rural County like Leitrim, the GAA is always at the heart of local life — and our clubs are showing just how powerful
that connection can be for health and well-being for everyone. Well done and thank you!

Expressions of Interest for the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme will open on November 22nd 2025, all interested GAA, LGFA and Camogie Clubs can apply here:
www.healthyclubs.gaa.ie

For more information regarding the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme please visit
Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Programme | Tobar

 

Bernie Mulligan Dolan
Chairperson.

 

Leitrim GAA Health and Wellbeing/Healthy Clubs

“ Reaching out to our relatives, friends and neighbours”

Right now in the aftermath of such a destructive storm is a good time for us to support those who normally support us.


Proposal to our players
.

1.  Would each of us or any of us be willing to volunteer to help out and look out for someone they already know ?

2.  Someone we already know – could be a relative/neighbour
or a friend who is finding these times challenging.

3.  This would involve making contact by phone or text or just dropping in to say hello especially after dark and maybe phoning ahead if that’s possible.

Benefits :

1.  Would ensure safety and sociability for many.

2.  A vital outlet for each to talk and feel valued. This could be a good time to chat about “The New Rules”!!!

3.  Helps alleviate loneliness for the housebound and ensure they are warm and have vital supplies.

Our community loves to share with our younger people. Under normal circumstances these people are our best supporters and this is a good time for us in the GAA to pay them back by Playing our part.

We have no doubt that people, especially our older generation would value interaction and contact with yourselves.

Thank you for considering this message.

Take care.
Bernie Mulligan Dolan
Chairperson.


Our 50 Miles Challenge might be on pause for the moment but you can still get the steps in this January !

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge 2025 invites club and community members nationwide to get active, connect with their community and support their GAA club for 5 weeks, starting 8th January 2025.

· Irish Life’s Health of the Nation Report 2024 has found that as a population we’re becoming less active and feeling more isolated..

· The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge 2024, which was facilitated on the MyLife app, recorded an increase of one million steps vs 2023 challenge

· 970 GAA clubs registered for the challenge in 2024, an increase of 181 clubs from 2023, with 125 from Connacht, 317 from Leinster, 268 from Munster and 263 from Ulster

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge, is back for a sixth year. The aim of the challenge is to create a healthier Ireland by encouraging people from all over the country to join together through their local GAA Club and get out walking over a five-week period. The challenge, which runs from the 8th January 2025 to 12th February 2025, is a country-wide initiative in partnership with Ireland Lights Up* and will be hosted on Irish Life’s health and wellbeing app, MyLife, allowing users to record and track their efforts and steps.

Findings from Irish Life’s 2024 Health of the Nation Report shows that 60% of Irish adults are now overweight or obese, with over 3 in 5 adults under 35 also reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation. Encouraging participation to combat these health issues, the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge sees users partake in an organised walk around their local GAA facilities each week, fostering healthy habits and greater community engagement.

During the 2024 Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge, the campaign saw participation surge to an all-time high of 40,000, an increase of 10,000 people from 2023. Most notably, a promising uplift in new joiners in the 18-39 age category were seen, showcasing the efforts of this age group to improve their health and build connections. Together participants walked over 6.6 million kilometres throughout the 2024 campaign, an increase of one million kilometres completed from 2023.

The challenge offers the chance to win a share of €30,000 in GAA club funding from Irish Life. Each GAA Club that surpasses the 4,000-kilometre goal of collective steps recorded by their participants are entered into a draw to win one of three €2,500 donations towards club funding, across each province. The challenge was initially launched during lockdown to help people across Ireland get active and provide a social connection to others in their communities. Since 2021 the challenge has continued to evolve, with 970 clubs taking part in 2024 – a testament to the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme commitment to improve health and wellbeing in communities across Ireland.

Claire Myers of Round Towers GAA, Lusk, Co. Dublin said of their club’s experience: “Each Monday we organised a walk around our GAA facility fields, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits in the club, and we often found the children were encouraging their parents to bring them along too. It was

fun checking the app to see our individual steps and ranking in the club, but more importantly, how easy it was to monitor how our club’s steps total was progressing compared to other clubs in Leinster.

“The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge is a great initiative and it encouraged a lot of people to come out and walk. I received a lot of positive feedback from our members, saying it got them out and some of them are going to continue their Monday group walks, which is a very positive outcome. We’ll be back next year.”

Kate Casey, Head of Wellbeing Propositions at Irish Life commented “Our recent Irish Life 2024 Health of the Nation Report highlighted a concerning decline in physical activity and increased feelings of isolation, especially among those under 35. However, the consistent rise in participation in our Every Step Counts Challenge over the past 5 years demonstrates the importance of creating the opportunity for people to take part in physical activity, fostering a healthier and more connected community. The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme, club officers and volunteers play a pivotal role in promoting health and wellbeing for communities all over Ireland and Irish Life are delighted to support this initiative through the MyLife app.”

Colin Regan, GAA Community and Health Manager said: “The Steps Challenge epitomises what the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme is all about: it enables our inspirational club volunteers to put in place a health-enhancing intervention that benefits tens of thousands of people, while placing their club at the heart of their community. It brings to life the GAA motto ‘Where We All Belong’.”

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme delivers health and wellbeing benefits worth €50M to Ireland, an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation completed by Just Economics in 2023 confirms. The research highlighted the significant health and wellbeing gains for participants, including increases in physical activity and adopting of healthier behaviours.

As the initiative continues to gain momentum, Irish Life’s ambition is to grow the Every Step Counts Challenge to support communities becoming active through a fun and collaborative programme. The five-week challenge is not only an enjoyable way to get active within the community but can help participants track measurable improvements to their overall health through Irish Life’s MyLife App.

The 2024 winners of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge were:

Connacht

· Kinvara GAA and Camogie Club, Galway – 4,099.7km tracked / 37 participants

· Club Iománaíochta Bearna Na Forbacha, Galway – 15,266.56km tracked / 76 participants

· Shannon Gaels, Roscommon – 8,900.5km tracked / 50 participants

Leinster

· Round Towers Lusk, Dublin – 19,080.9km / 110 participants

· Syddan GFC, Meath – 6,091.6km / 31 participants

· St Brendan’s Grangegorman, Dublin – 10,785.2km / 52 participants

Munster

· Ballydonoghue GAA, Kerry – 9,219.1km / 58 participants

· Ballygunner Hurling Club, Waterford – 17,527.6km / 106 participants

· Keel GAA, Kerry – 5,883.8km / 28 participants

Ulster

· O’Connell’s GAC Tullysaran, Armagh – 20,303.2km / 87 participants

· Kilrea GAC, Derry – 11,931.7km / 70 participants

· Omagh St Enda’s, Tyrone – 8,860.3km / 51 participants

 

Source:  GAA.ie

FREE Living Well programme – places available.

The Living Well Programme is a key evidence-based resource of the Self-management Support Programme across Community Healthcare Cavan Donegal Leitrim Monaghan Sligo (CH CDLMS).

Living Well supports adults living with chronic health conditions and their carers to develop the core self-management skills to optimise health outcomes and quality of life.

The programme is free and is available online and in-person.  Participants on the online programme are supported to access and use the virtual platform.

 

Day

Start date

Finish date

Time

Location

Monday

 13th May

 

 1st July

 

10.30am – 1pm

 Online

 

Thursday

 23rd May 

27th June

10.30am – 1pm

Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre, Mountain Rd, Tubbercurry,

 Co. Sligo. F91 YR25

 Please check the webpage: www.hse.ie/livingwell for further programmes in CH CDLMS

Email: livingwell.nw@hse.ie

Phone: 087 1800 286

To order Living Well Programme leaflets contact livingwell.nw@hse.ie.

For more information visit: www.hse.ie/livingwell.

On Monday 22nd April at 7:30pm the GAA Community & Health Department will facilitate a National Substance Use Webinar for all GAA units in conjunction with the Regional/Local Drugs task Forces and Ascert.

 

Please see article HERE from GAA.ie providing information on the webinar.

Geevagh Community Health & Wellbeing Night

Geevagh GAA Club this year have the honour of being the Sligo representative in the Lidl One Good Club initiative.

Lidl One Good Club is run in association with the LGFA and Jigsaw. The One Good Club programme is based on Jigsaws ‘5-a-day for your mental health’ framework that provides a simple set of evidence based actions for people to improve their wellbeing.

As part of the ‘Give’ phase of this programme, Geevagh Ladies football team have planned a health and wellbeing information evening. This event will take place in St Brigids Church, Highwood, Co. Sligo on the 27th April 2023 at 7.30pm.

Dermot McDermott, project leader of the Geevagh One Good Club Committee said ‘We were delighted to be able to ask our club member Valerie Cogan and her colleague Hubert McHugh to help us organise this event. They both have lots of experience having organised Leitrim’s Health is Wealth since 2017’.

Valerie Cogan explained the urgent need for the conference, saying, “We live in a world where we can communicate with one another like never before and yet we live in a world where people are lonely and disconnected from one another. Through our work as a community mental health nurses, the one common denominator that causes the most problems is loneliness and the feeling of isolation. Indeed, some of us know all too well from our own experience just what that is and what it feels like. Sometimes the most connected people are the most disconnected”.

The conference moderator will be broadcaster and playwright Tommy Marren (Midwest Radio).

Speakers on the night will include

· Sean Keane – traditional singer and musician, speaking about dealing with personal grief from his experience of his wife’s death

· Cora Staunton – Irelands best known ladies Gaelic footballer, author and RTE sports pundit

· Frank Diamond – Chief Operating Officer, ALPS suicide prevention

· Sligo’s own Sandy Kelly – Irish singer and television presenter.

· Dr Eimear McGuire – Consultant Psychiatrist Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services

 

Special guest on the night is Charlie McGettigan – singer/ songwriter & broadcaster and former Eurovision winner.

 

Let’s talk about it!

 

Our next online Living Well programme is starting on Thursday 23rd Feb at 2pm and there are still a few places available – See Poster Below For More Details.

This free HSE programme  is run across Ireland for anyone living with a long term health conditions or carers of people with long term health conditions. 
They are run across the year, predominantly online at present but moving back to face to face.