Wexford GAA are delighted to announce that they have been selected to host Féile na nGael 2021 in the year of the 50thanniversary of the competition. The popular hurling and camogie competitions will be run over a weekend at the end of June 2021, with thousands of visitors flocking to the south east which will be co-hosted with Waterford GAA . Fèile na nGael was first ran in 1971 to create a festival of hurling and to increase the number of children playing the game. Féile Peil na nÓg was added to the GAA calendar in 1982 to create a football equivalent.
Both Competitions were reviewed in 2013 and changes were subsequently made to increase the number of teams participating with a view to ensuring that every club in Ireland would participate in the competition over a five year period. The National competitions now host more clubs than ever before with over three hundred teams and 8,000 children playing in the hurling and camogie. Further changes to the competition structure have seen the introduction of shield and plate competitions at the national event. This has ensured that more clubs have had an opportunity of success as the emphasis has been recalibrated to emphasise friendships and skill development. The finals days will be played across Wexford and Waterford in multi pitch venues added to the sense of festival with an estimated 12,000 spectators visiting the Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence over the course of the weekend. Wexford GAA has previously hosted Féile na nGael in 1984/85, 19998/99 and 2017. Statistics in relation to Féile na nGael
- 8,000 players under 14 years participate
- 1,000 coaches and mentors guiding teams.
- 40 finals played on Sunday.
- 150 referees required at the Féile
- 500 officials will be take part.
- 100, 000 visitors to the area.
- 25,000 will attend finals.
- 175 busses will be used for the weekend.
- All accommodation in Wexford and Waterford will be booked to capacity.
- €10,000,000 – value to the economy, which includes travel, accommodation, playing gear and food.
