A Look at Gaelic Sports in Luxembourg

In the latest in a series of articles about sports clubs in Luxembourg, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to speak with Tadhg Dunne, Children and Youth Officer of Gaelic Sports Club Luxembourg (GSCL), about the club and Gaelic sports in the Grand Duchy.

The focus of this series is on sports which are less often covered in the news, yet have strong links with the international community in the Grand Duchy. Some are already well-established; others are relatively new.

Chronicle.lu: Why and when was your sports club established?

Tadhg Dunne: The club was set up in 1978 to promote playing the sports of Gaelic football, hurling and camogie in Luxembourg when Irish people started moving to the Grand Duchy to work in European institutions.

Chronicle.lu: What are some of the links your club has with the international community in Luxembourg?

Tadhg Dunne: That's a great question, as our membership draws from the international community to bolster our playing base. We have had many players from the international community over the years who have learned Gaelic games as adults in Luxembourg, but who originate from all over the world from countries like Australia, Canada, North America, Great Britain and many more! In addition, the club has always maintained strong connections with other sports such as Rugby Club Luxembourg and the Hockey Club Luxembourg over the years. There was many a time when a Gaelic footballer was thrown on the wing for RCL back in the day with several of our members representing both clubs with distinction. For a time, GSCL was also based out of Stade Boy Konen in Cessange but we are now very fortunate to have access to our current facilities in Weimerskirch as part of our affiliation with the Luxembourg Field Sports Federation [LFSF] which also includes other sports such as ultimate frisbee and lacrosse.

Chronicle.lu: What activities, coaching and training programmes does your club offer and who is your main target audience or age group? Do you offer different levels for beginners and experienced athletes?

Tadhg Dunne: We run adult teams in men's and women's Gaelic football as well as in hurling and camogie. Our main playing population tends to come from Irish people who have grown up playing the game back in Ireland and want to continue playing the sports living in Europe but we also have people from all over the world who have learned the game from scratch since moving over here. As well as being curious about the game, they also find that the club offers them a support network and a positive environment to meet new friends and keep fit and healthy. Since 2018, the club has also started a youth section for kids from four years old to learn the skills of Gaelic games. This has been a success with lots of kids learning the skills in a fun way with no pressure.

Chronicle.lu: What are your club's main goals and objectives, both in terms of sports and community involvement?

Tadhg Dunne: The club's main goals were set out in the original charter back in 1978 and have stood the test of time. We really want to promote playing the sports of Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. Since 1978, there is a lot more structure to the competitions being run in Continental Europe for Gaelic games, so the club will participate in the regional European leagues. This requires a big playing base so we are always looking for new players, especially given the transitory nature of some of Luxembourg's residents.

Chronicle.lu: How has this sport grown in Luxembourg over the years?

Tadhg Dunne: Quite organically, the sports of Gaelic games continue to develop as highlighted above by our recently added youth section. We are also active in the community and participate in events such as in "Nuit du Sport" and run sessions in local schools. A real boost was our connection with the LFSF, which provided us with much-needed recognition and helped us find a stable home. We are forever thankful to the Ville de Luxembourg for how supportive they have been to the club over the years.

Chronicle.lu: What are some of the benefits of playing this particular sport?

Tadhg Dunne: You will have lots of fun! From a development perspective, one of the best things about Gaelic games is that the skills learned are very transferrable into other sports and you can develop really strong foot, hand and eye coordination. From an adult perspective, we find that it is a sport that suits people of all levels who are often trying to manage careers while staying fit and maintaining a competitive outlet. As most of the tournaments are played in other European cities, it is also a great way to travel and make new friends.

Chronicle.lu: What events, tournaments or competitions is your club participating in or hosting in the new year?

Tadhg Dunne: The club is one of the most active in Europe and will play in the men's and women's European and Benelux championships as well as the hurling and camogie championships. The youth section hopes to host a tournament in Luxembourg on Saturday 18 May 2024 and are working to secure a venue for this date. They also hope to travel to the European Feile in Galicia in April 2024.

Chronicle.lu: How can someone interested in joining your club become a member? Are there any membership fees or other requirements?

Tadhg Dunne: Those interested can send an email to the club via Pro.luxembourg.europe@gaa.ie or send us a message on one of our socials on Meta, X or LinkedIn. For adult members, yes, there is a small membership fee.