The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has welcomed the UK Government's announcement that it will be contributing £50m / €59m to the redevelopment of Casement Park, a Gaelic games stadium in Belfast.
The funding for Casement Park was included in the UK Government's Spending Review 2025, which was published today, Wednesday, June 11.
"The UK Government is committed to supporting Northern Ireland both
to address the legacy of the Troubles, and to repeal and replace the Legacy Act," the report said in part.
The Spending Review, the UK Government said, "Offers £50 million over four years to the Northern Ireland Executive to support the redevelopment of Casement Park, subject to sufficient finance being raised elsewhere to deliver the project."
The report adds: "The UK government will agree the profile of funding with the Northern Ireland Executive to allow them to draw down funding within this SR [Spending Review] period."
"Crucial milestone"
Welcoming the funding, the GAA said on Wednesday that, following the Irish Government’s partnership funding, the contribution of the UK Government is a "crucial milestone that will be a key catalyst in the final delivery of its provincial stadium."
The GAA said that the UK Government’s support was "a recognition of the long-standing commitments given to redevelop Casement Park and, despite the missed opportunity of the EURO 2028 Championships, the goodwill and resolve of the GAA in providing Casement Park as a host venue."
The Association added that it will "continue to engage and work constructively with the Northern Ireland Executive, the Department for Communities, and all other partners to deliver upon the 14-year commitments to redevelop the flagship project."
The GAA welcomes important and significant UK Government investment in Casement Park ⬇️
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 11, 2025
"A lasting legacy"
Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA, welcomed the news on Wednesday while also thanking Secretary of State of Northern Ireland Hilary Benn, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, and the UK Government.
“From taking office, the Secretary of State has been clear that Casement Park needs to be delivered," Burns said.
"He recognised the GAA’s commitment and goodwill in sharing venues for the benefit of everyone in our society, dating back to the Maze Long Kesh project, and more recently offering Casement Park as a EURO 2028 Championship venue.
"His support and that of the UK Government now represents a critical opportunity to finish this NI Executive flagship project, delivering the last remaining stadium of the 14-year Regional Stadia Programme, and helping to leave a lasting legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society."
Burns continued: “We know, however, that this is not the final piece of jigsaw and there is much more work to do. The GAA will engage directly with the NI Executive and the Department for Communities to ensure that all parties actively pursue, and secure, a full funding package that will deliver upon the GAA’s strategic stadium need."
"Ulster’s provincial stadium is a step closer"
Michael Geoghegan, President of Ulster GAA, hailed the funding as "important" and also thanked Benn and the UK Government for their support.
"For too long, GAA members, players, and supporters have been left behind with frustrations growing on commitments given but not delivered," Geoghegan said.
"With this announcement, there is now growing momentum and belief that Antrim’s home and Ulster’s provincial stadium is a step closer.
"We look forward to the project getting started and hosting some of the largest, most exciting and significant games on the island of Ireland while also significantly adding to economic recovery and regeneration in Belfast and beyond.”
"Game changer"
Michelle O'Neill, the First Minister for Northern Ireland, said on Wednesday that the funding "marks a significant step forward in the redevelopment of Casement Park, as the British government joins the Executive, the Irish government, and the GAA in committing funding."
O'Neill said that she has "made the case for funding Casement Park" in "every meeting I've had with the British government."
She said: "We will continue working with all partners involved in this project to secure the remaining funding and get diggers on site to build a new, world-class Casement Park.
"Casement Park will be a game changer for Gaels in Antrim and Ulster, and will deliver a major economic boost for local people and communities, creating jobs and opening up new opportunities for prosperity."
Ireland's commitment to Casement
Also welcoming the announcement on Wednesday was Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris.
"The Irish Government has long supported the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast as a landmark sports infrastructure project," Harris said.
"In February 2024, we made an early commitment from the Shared Island initiative of up to €50 million for the redevelopment of Casement. We underlined our commitment at that time to support the GAA in progressing this project in partnership with the UK and NI authorities.
"I will now engage with all these partners to deliver a redeveloped stadium. The last match hosted in Casement was well over a decade ago and it is past time for the redevelopment of this historic venue to get underway."
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