National Recreation Week 2016

Waterford Sports Partnership, in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council, worked in partnership with the GAA to coordinate a range of activities for National Recreation Week which took place from Sunday 3rd July to Saturday 9th July. National Recreation Week is funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and this year’s theme focused on “Remembering 1916”.


The week kicked off in Waterford with a Go Games Blitz on Tuesday 5th July in WIT Sports Arena. For the first time, both Camogie and Hurling clubs attended the blitz together with over 350 children taking part, not to mention all the referees, parents and coaches that were in attendance. Waterford Library Service supported the week by hosting two story telling events in Tramore (26 participants) on Wednesday 6th and in Ardkeen Library (13 participants) on Thursday 7th July focusing on stories from 1916, and specially the influence the “duck” had on the 1916 Easter Rising. Also on Wednesday 6th July, Colaiste na Rinne held a history talking linking the GAA to the 1916 rising as Gaeilge. Following this all students in the Colasite took part in playing GAA (hurling & gaelic football) using the 1916 rules, which turned out to be great fun and very challenging. Last but not least, there were two evening camps held in both Fraher Field (37 participants) and Walsh Park (19 participants) as part of a four week programme with participants getting the opportunity to play a number of games each week.

A huge thank you to Eoin Breathnach (GAA Coaching and Games Development Officer) for co-ordinating a fantastic week of activity and to the library service that showcased two brilliant story telling events.