As part of Good Relations Week, the Bangor Cúchulainns team were hosted by the Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Councillor Gillian McCollum, in recognition of their outstanding engagement in the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Initiative.
The Cúchulainn Initiative is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross-community project, designed to build positive relationships between schools, communities and young people through Gaelic games.
Established to promote mutual respect, understanding and teamwork, the initiative brings together pupils from schools of different community backgrounds to train and play together under one team, the Cuchulainn’s.
The cross-community team, made up of boys from Bangor College & Sixth Form Academy and St Columbanus College Bangor, took part in a weekly programme from February, which culminated in the group representing Ulster at the All-Britain Competition in London in July.
Speaking at the civic reception in Bangor Castle, Mayor Gillian McCollum expressed her pride in how the boys had represented the two schools and the Borough of Ards and North Down, and praised the cross-community efforts of Ulster GAA and the Cúchulainn Programme.
“The two schools have shown great teamwork, commitment and respect for one another, which are exactly the values that make this initiative so important,” she added.
Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan commended the players for their commitment and praised the success of the initiative:
“Having travelled with the team, I know how much the boys enjoyed the experience of participating in the All-Britain Competition. Many of the boys will continue to play Gaelic games or other sports, and that is important for their own wellbeing.
“However, the key aim of the programme is the forging of friendships that previously didn’t exist and the development of mutual respect and understanding for each other. These good relations are the real legacy of the Cuchulainn’s of 2025.”
Michael Geoghegan also paid tribute to the Department of Foreign Affairs, who funded the trip.
For more information on the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Initiative, contact elaine.mckeown.ulster@gaa.ie.
