Gaoth Dobhair native Áine Ní Chearbhaill in new TG4 Documentary on European GAA

The unique experience of GAA clubs on the European continent is explored in a new programme for TG4, “Cluiche As Baile”, or “The Away Game” in English.

While people in Ireland may not realise, there are dozens of GAA clubs in cities all across Europe - some without any Irish people at all! Brothers Jack and Cian Desmond from West Cork directed and produced the 50-minute documentary.

They travelled to Hamburg, Cologne, Madrid and Galicia, getting to know some of the people behind the clubs - Irish expats, Germans, Spanish, French, Kazakh and even farther afield. The programme follows the players’ journey as they learn a new sport, forge a strong community, and ultimately battle for the pan-European trophy. The show is narrated by broadcaster and personality Síle Seoige.

The documentary covers hurling/camogie in Germany, and football in Spain. In Madrid, a strong community of Irish ex-pat and other international players from the Madrid Harps, who focus on football.

Áine Ní Chearbhaill, an English teacher from the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht, explains why she moved abroad after the pandemic. “Moving away is a good chance to meet new people, and learn a new language and culture.” A fan of the fine weather in Madrid for playing football, she also adds that she has no plans to move home. “The cost of living here is a lot lower than in Ireland, unfortunately.”

Another Harp, Daithí Langan, from Bohola, lives and works in Madrid as an English teacher. He is captain of the men’s senior team in Madrid, and loves the sense of community. Daithí extends his passion for Irish culture by being involved in a Irish language group, whose members come together for a comhrá, or to learn their first words of Irish.

The active lifestyle in sunny Madrid is one of the main attractions for Daithí. “There’s always people playing sport, walking, running, playing music. There’s always a great atmosphere.” The programme will premiere on TG4 on Thursday June 1 at 9:30pm, and will be available to view on the TG4 Player website thereafter.