Mayo footballer and Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps ambassador Cillian O'Connor with brothers Paddy, aged 13, left, and Tom Nolan, aged 10, of St Brigid's GAA Club in Castleknock, Dublin at the launch of the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps at Croke Park. Photo: Sportsfile.

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps return with 29 Westmeath venues

The GAA has today launched the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, offering children a healthy, fun and safe summer outdoor activity.

Starting on June 28 and running up to August 27, the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps will run in line with government guidelines and subject to the advice of the relevant authorities. The successful health and safety measures from last year will be implemented again and built on for the 2021 camps.

Despite challenges encountered last year, the 2020 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps proved a great success and provided a welcome diversion for over 70,000 children across the country from the Covid-19 restrictions. Theyn also marked an important milestone by welcoming the 1 millionth participant to the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps.

The number of camps and capacity at this year’s camps will increase as summer approaches with some already on sale, but parents are reminded to book early (booking is open now) to avoid disappointment as demand is expected to be higher than ever.

Mayo football star Cillian O’Connor was on hand to launch the 2021 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps and will front the ‘Cúl Start’ campaign alongside Kilkenny camogie star Grace Walsh with a range of social video content to be delivered across Kellogg’s social channels throughout the summer.

Kellogg has also launched a nationwide on-pack promotion for all GAA clubs across the country to be in with a chance to win prizes worth a total of €40,000. With fundraising activities severely disrupted over the past year, this on-pack competition provides GAA members with an incredible opportunity to raise vital funds for their team. In order to nominate your GAA club, all that is required is to purchase a promotional box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Bran Flakes. Using a unique on-pack code, log on to kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/competition and nominate your club of choice.

Sarah Ferguson, Kellogg Ireland General Manager, said: “Kellogg is very proud to be involved in a partnership which involves children the length and breadth of the country, each of whom will get the chance to meet up with their friends and enjoy themselves in a healthy and safe outdoor environment. This is the tenth year of our sponsorship and we are thrilled to watch the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps to continue to go from strength to strength and it was particularly pleasing to see how well it worked last year during a difficult year.

"We are looking forward to welcoming more children this year and for the camps to continue to play such a key role in the summer of budding sports stars.”

GAA Cúl Camps co-ordinator Charlie Harrison added “It’s time to make summer plans! Keeping in line with Government guidelines we are thankfully in a position to deliver the camps during the months of July and August 2021 to children living in all 32 counties. Naturally, after the year we’ve all had to endure, the idea of finally getting out of the house, being active and seeing other children sounds hugely appealing. We are mindful of the reality that Covid-19 will still be with us, however, and we will be very much guided by the government and relevant authorities to ensure all reasonable safety measures and protocols are adhered to in the rollout of our camps."

GAA President Larry McCarthy said: “The success of our Kellogg’s Cúl Camps in 2020 was one of the GAA highlights in what was a difficult year for everyone. The focus and outlet that it gave to 70,000 of our young players in a safe environment provided a huge boost to them and their families and I am confident the camps can have a similarly positive impact this summer.

“The reach and success of the camps is not limited to Ireland only; their growing popularity across our international network is a great source of pride and seeing the distinctive playing gear, not just across the island but in pockets around the globe, is fantastic. A special word of thanks to Kellogg for a decade of supporting this vital project. It is without doubt one of the best and most and successful summer initiatives for children with Gaelic games and fun at the heart of it all.”

The Westmeath camp venues are as follows below.

Westmeath camp venues & dates

Athlone (Páirc Chiaráin): Monday, 26th July to Friday, 30th July (supervisor: Joe Fallon).

Ballynacargy: Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (Aidan Lyons).

Brownstown: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (Lenny Higgins).

Castlepollard: Monday, 5th July to Friday, 9th July (Seamus Sheridan).

Caulry: Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (James Hatton).

Clonkill: Monday, 5th July to Friday, 9th July (Christy Scally).

Crookedwood: Monday, 16th August to Friday, 20th August (Alan O'Mara).

Cullion: Monday, 12th July to Friday, 16th July (Ger Behan).

Fr Dalton's/Ballymore: Monday, 12th July to Friday, 16th July (Kieran Martin).

Garrycastle: Monday, 12th July to Friday, 16th July (Sean Holly).

Kilbeggan: Monday, 26th July to Friday, 30th July (Alan McCormack).

Killucan/Raharney (venue: Killucan): Monday, 16th August to Friday, 20th August (online booking closed, contact supervisor Shane Briody, 087 2774130).

Kinnegad: Monday, 5th July to Friday, 9th July (Jim Rock).

Maryland/Tang (Drumraney): Monday, 16th August to Friday, 20th August (Darren Malynn).

Milltown: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (Paul Heduan).

Milltownpass: Monday, 26th July to Friday, 30th July (Eoin Geraghty).

Moate: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (Brendan Madden).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Monday, 5th July to Friday, 9th July (Pat Collins).

Multyfarnham: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (David Kelly).

Ringtown GAA: Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (Adrian Moran).

Rochfortbridge: Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (Michael Clarke).

Rosemount GAA: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (Brendan Kelly).

Shandonagh: Monday, 2nd August to Friday, 6th August (Ned Hayden).

Southern Gaels (Páirc Chiaráin): Monday, 5th July to Friday, 9th July (Martin Geary).

St Loman's Mullingar: Monday, 16th August to Friday, 20th August (online booking closed, contact supervisor Lorcan Sleator, 083 1455024).

St. Oliver Plunkett's (Robinstown): Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (Conor Mount).

The Downs: Monday, 12th July to Friday, 16th July (Bernie Corroon).

Tubberclair: Monday, 19th July to Friday, 23rd July (John O'Meara).

Tyrrellspass: Monday, 16th August to Friday, 20th August (Shane Arthur).

*For more information on the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, contact Westmeath coordinator Tommy Gallagher (083 0563811) or visit https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie to book.