Sports and Games

Margaret Deevy, Belfast, County Antrim

Marie-Louise Tohill, Belfast, County Antrim

In 2005, PlayBoard, a Belfast-based children’s advocacy agency, launched its “Reclaiming Playspace” initiative, which seeks to provide positive, outdoor play experiences and foster inter-community relations throughout Northern Ireland. Using traditional street games, co-operative group games, and innovative fun activities, playleaders Deevy and Tohill encourage young people from all backgrounds to take ownership and share community spaces. www.playboard.org

Jimmy Darragh, Belfast, County Antrim

Stephen McGeehan, Armagh, County Armagh

Una McKay, Cookstown, County Tyrone

Terence McWilliams, Kilrea, County Londonderry

Aileen Tohill, Maghera, County Londonderry

Founded in 1884, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) promotes indigenous Irish sports, such as hurling (Irish iománaíocht), camogie, Gaelic football, rounders, and handball, as well as Irish music, dance, and language. The Association has more than 2,500 clubs throughout Ireland (500 of which are in Northern Ireland) and many more around the world. Coaches, like those participating in the Festival, assist players at all levels to improve their skills and compete in local, Club, and All Ireland County Championships. www.ulster.gaa.ie

Trevor Erskine, County Tyrone

David McVeigh, Belfast

Founded in 1880, the Irish Football Association (IFA) is the world’s fourth oldest football-governing body and an important member of the International Football Association Board, the sport’s international rule-making body. Since 1998, the IFA has worked with the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, Sports Council Northern Ireland, and the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to broaden the game’s popularity by promoting “Football for All.” www.irishfa.com

Brian Gardiner, Ballyclare, County Antrim

Niall McShea, Markethill, County Fermanagh

Motorcycle, or “bike,” racing, rally car racing, and carting seem to combine an ancient Irish love of horse racing with the region’s long-standing aptitude for heavy engineering. Motorsports are extremely popular: every May, the North West 200 bike race draws more than 100,000 spectators to County Antrim’s beautiful north coast. Motorcycle racer Brian Gardner and rally driver Niall McShea explain how they modify vehicles for competitions and train themselves and others for their sports. www.2and4wheels.com

Michael Black, Kilfennan, County Londonderry

Barry Willis, Larne, County Antrim

The Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch (Ulster Rugby) was founded in 1879. It oversees the sport throughout Ulster—the six counties that make up Northern Ireland, as well as three counties that are part of the Republic of Ireland. In recent years, Ulster Rugby and its coaches have worked hard to broaden the sport’s popularity and its cross-community appeal. www.ulsterrugby.ie