Na Fianna team up with DCU

DUBLIN City University and Na Fianna have teamed up for a unique community partnership that will benefit hundreds of students and club members.

The seven-year agreement, believed to be the first of its kind in Ireland, will provide the Mobhi Road based GAA club with access to playing pitches and training facilities in DCU's Glasnevin and St Patrick's campuses.

There’s also positive impacts for DCU as the partnership will lead to a range of opportunities for the university’s students to engage with Na Fianna through volunteering and coaching activities, and through paid internships.

The agreement also includes a commitment to collaborate on the promotion and development of the Irish language and cultural activities in the area. 

Under the partnership DCU will be publicly recognised as the premium community partner of CLG Na Fianna, with the university logo in a prominent position on the back of all jerseys worn by the club’s teams. The university will also play a central role in all Na Fianna’s educational activity.

Details of the agreement were announced at an event attended by the President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, the Chairman of CLG Na Fianna, Cormac Ó Donnchú, and invited guests.

“This is an historic development, being the first ever strategic partnership between a university and a GAA Club,” said Prof MacCraith.

“This new community partnership underlines DCU’s strong commitment to engagement with our community in areas of importance to the university, such as sport, arts and culture, agus an Ghaeilge.

“This is very much a mutually beneficial agreement. DCU is delighted to share its facilities and expertise with Na Fianna, while the club is offering our students valuable volunteering, internship and cultural opportunities.”

Cormac Ó Donnchú said his club was delighted with the community partnership too.

“While we're very grateful for their support, we're particularly pleased that an innovative and world renowned institution like DCU recognises and values what goes on here in Na Fianna every day and every week from a community, cultural and Gaelic games point of view,” he added.

“All in Na Fianna appreciate the hard work of DCU President Prof Brian MacCraith and his team in DCU for getting this agreement over the line.

“We are very excited about this new community partnership and we look forward to Na Fianna and DCU working together over the next seven years on a number of novel initiatives in the fields of cultural, community and sporting activities.”

CLG Na Fianna has more than 3,000 members and 174 teams participating in camogie, Gaelic football, handball, hurling, ladies football and rounders as well as a host of other social and cultural activities.

The club was established in 1955 and caters for all teams at their single-pitch ground at Mobhi Road. The partnership will provide an immediate boost with access to playing and training facilities at DCU’s Sports Campus in nearby St Clare’s and also on a new 3G pitch on DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra, which will be completed in spring 2020.

Plans are also in place to further promote and develop DCU’s arts and cultural initiative, ANAM, a celebration of arts, culture and creativity in a strategic effort to develop a north Dublin cultural quarter. 

DCU will be working closely with Na Fianna on the production and hosting of a series of ANAM 2020 events at the club.