“Proven: Gaelic Games Bring Major Economic and Social Benefits – Independent Study” 

LatestA comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of Gaelic games and a measurement of its Social Value and Social Return on Investment has produced a landmark report, the first of its kind in Irish sport.This independent analysis of Gaelic games activity by international experts has found that the Social Value of Gaelic games is estimated to be worth at least €2.87 billion to Irish society. The Social Return on Investment study shows that for every one euro invested in Gaelic games, the benefit returned to society is at least €2.30 and could be as much as €3.96.The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association commissioned Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Group, who are pioneers in the economics of sport and sport’s wider social impacts. Assisted by colleagues in Manchester Metropolitan University and Ulster University, they have spent the last 13 months working on this project.It is based, in part, on the analysis of national, provincial, county and more than 500 club accounts from across Gaelic games and establishes for the first time the economic impact of Gaelic games activity across the 32 counties, and the Social Value of the work of more than 1,600 clubs which are led by volunteers. It is also the first time in Irish sport that a report of this detail has looked at the totality of impact from economic to social value to specific major events.Analysis of the social value of Gaelic games activity estimates that an input or spend to produce Gaelic games of €1.244 billion, resulted in outcomes valued to Irish life worth €2.87 billion.€31.06 million for Health,
€556.48 million for Subjective Wellbeing,
€1.224 billion for Social Capital, and
€1.056 billion for the replacement cost of volunteering.
Detailed event impact assessment of major provincial finals shows that the2024 Ulster SFC Final was worth €1.5 million to the town of Clones and in total €2.1 million to County Monaghan.
2024 Munster SHC Final was worth €3.2 million to the town of Thurles and €4.5 million to County Tipperary.
A Satellite Account for Sport extracts its values from the System of National Accounts.   The Satellite Account for Gaelic games reveals that:Consumer spending on Gaelic games is €377m, which equates to 7.8% of the sport industry;
Gross Value Added attributable to Gaelic games is €710 million (8.7% of the sport industry);
Employment generated by Gaelic games is 10,600 FTE (9.8% of the sport industry);
Total economic activity attributable to Gaelic games is €1,619 million (10.2% of the sport industry);
Government receives €192.6 million in direct and indirect taxation from Gaelic games.
Lead researcher, Professor Simon Shibli, said: “This report shows that Gaelic games is good for the economy and good for society.”Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “For the first time the Association has been able to secure facts and figures that confirm what we have always known – that Gaelic games activity makes an eno