Tag Archives: Derg AC

THE recent Autism Activity GAA Camp held at Cusack Park, Ennis has been hailed a success by the organisers and participants, writes Dan Danaher. Fifty-five children ranging in age from six to 13 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enjoyed a wide variety of activities including parachute games, ball games, obstacle courses, foam javelin, tug-of-war, hurling and a variation of tag rugby thanks to the assistance of more than 40 coaches, volunteers and helpers during the three days. They were also given the opportunity to play hurling, if they wished during the second hour of the camp. Every morning children were given sensory activities to regulate their sensory needs before the start of the two-hour session. Clare GAA provided about 17 coaches, which included camogie players and ladies’ footballers. Clare Ladies’ footballer, Ellie O’Gorman helped out as a volunteer for the three days. She was joined by Aidan McCarthy, Aine O’Loughlin and Clare footballer Darragh Bohannon, who also visited the camp. …

THE number of children attending Inclusive Athletics in Clarisford Park, Killaloe is increasing every week thanks to the success of a project driven by parents of children with disabilities. What started as a pilot project have gone from strength to strength and it is now a weekly fixture on Saturday morning that is eagerly-anticipated by both parents and children with disabilities. Nicola Welford explains the group want children to move from inclusive to mainstream, if this is at all possible, as part of their overall progression. She is looking forward to the opening of the new all weather Derg AC €500,000 athletics track as their sessions will not be impacted as much by rain. “Every week we have a new child starting with us as parents are discovering inclusive athletics. The main comment from parents is ‘I can’t believe I didn’t know about it and I can’t believe this is happening’ because there is nothing happening for children with special …

WORK on laying the tartan track for the new Derg AC €500,000 multi-generational community facility started earlier this week. Set in idyllic surroundings in Clarisford Park, Killaloe, this impressive new development will provide athletics and leisure facilities for everyone including people with disabilities. Derg Athletic Club chairperson, Deirdre Coleman outlined that the committee and numerous volunteers are working on this project almost on a full time basis over the last four years. “This is a community training facility for everyone. It is not a competition facility. People of all ages can use it for walking or jogging. “The project started the day that lockdown ended. That was a huge decision to start a project in the middle of such uncertainty. “It is a facility that people will use even more because of Covid-19. It has taken us four years to bring this project to fruition. We are delighted to see that four years of hard work by everyone is paying …