JP McManus is donating €1 million to each of Ireland's 32 GAA county boards through his JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
The round of donations from McManus, the longtime sponsor of Limerick GAA, was first reported by Extra.ie on Thursday, which said that the money is to be evenly divided between GAA, camogie, and ladies Gaelic football clubs.
In one letter to a county board seen by RTÉ Sport, McManus wrote: "With Limerick's success in the GAA in recent years, we have seen the joy that this can bring on and off the field and how it enhances the spirit, camaraderie and confidence of communities, urban and rural.
"My family and I greatly value the spirit and meaning of community and our GAA, Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football clubs who are at the heart of communities right throughout the island."
A number of GAA county boards have reportedly already received checks in the post.
Limerick GAA was the first county board to comment on the "exceptionally generous" donation.
Limerick GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Clubs to benefit from donation.
Full details 👇 https://t.co/oIal2bH763
— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) December 14, 2023
The GAA also issued a statement on Thursday, acknowledging and thanking McManus, his wife Noreen, and their children "for their incredible generosity on the news today that they are donating €1m to all 32 counties for distribution to clubs across the Gaelic Games family."
The GAA would like to acknowledge and thank JP McManus, his wife Noreen, and their children for their incredible generosity on the news today that they are donating €1m to all 32 counties for distribution to clubs across the Gaelic Games family. #GAABelong
— The GAA (@officialgaa) December 14, 2023
Elsewhere, Mícheál Naughton, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) President, offered his sincere thanks to the McManus family for "this incredible gesture."
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association wishes to acknowledge the extremely kind donation of €1m from Businessman JP McManus to each county board in Ireland.https://t.co/vkgCZrXLuT#LGFA
— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) December 14, 2023
The Camogie Association also extended its "profound gratitude" for the donation.
The Camogie Association Extends Profound Gratitude to JP McManus and Family for their generosity. 👏https://t.co/47pVSYINh0#OurGameOurPassion
— The Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) December 14, 2023
The new swath of donations from McManus dwarves the €100,000 that he donated to each GAA county board in 2018.
However, some politicians have criticized the donation, with Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore accusing McManus of being a tax exile.
"I know this is a stretch.. but maybe just pay taxes here.. you know, for all those less PR-worthy initiatives like education, health care, public transport," Whitmore wrote on X.
McManus, who is reportedly a tax resident in Switzerland, also faced criticism over his taxpayer status from Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.
"Tax exiles aren’t heroes. Picking & choosing what you throw your millions at for good coverage isn’t patriotism. Supporting education, health, pensions, housing, policing, etc through taxation all year round is the measure of true citizenship," Ó Ríordáin wrote on X.
Tax exiles aren’t heroes.
Picking & choosing what you throw your millions at for good coverage isn’t patriotism.
Supporting education, health, pensions, housing, policing etc etc through taxation all year round is the measure of true citizenship.
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) December 14, 2023
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