Gaelic Games at Belfast Mela: Celebrating Community, Culture and Inclusion

Belfast Mela has provided an incredible opportunity for Ulster Camogie, Ulster GAA and Ulster LGFA to come together, engage with new communities and showcase Gaelic Games as a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.

Our partnership with Belfast Mela has been one of the highlights of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work, giving the three Ulster codes the opportunity to take Gaelic Games beyond the traditional sporting environment and into one of our region’s biggest celebrations of culture, diversity and community.

Over the summer, staff from Ulster Camogie, Ulster GAA and Ulster LGFA were involved across a number of Mela events, including The Carnival , The Earth Child event at Titanic Slipway and Mela Day.

The Carnival was a fantastic way to celebrate alongside thousands of people, bringing our three codes together and showing our support for an event that celebrates the many different cultures, identities and communities that make up our diverse society. The Earth Child show was a breathtaking outdoor Aeriel performance, with storytelling, fire, dance and music.

Mela Day, we continued to engage directly with the public, with staff from all three codes on hand to chat, answer questions and introduce people to Gaelic Games.

Our speed cage was a particular attraction at Mela Day, giving people the opportunity to get involved, have some fun and experience Gaelic Games in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

But while the activities were a great way to draw people in, the conversations were at the heart of what we were there to do.

We spoke to people from across our diverse communities, including many who may not previously have had a connection with Gaelic Games. We were able to talk about the opportunities available through our clubs, answer questions about how people can get involved and, importantly, listen to what people had to say.

For us, that is what inclusion is about — creating opportunities to meet people, listen to them and make sure they know that there is a place for them within Gaelic Games.

Our involvement with Belfast Mela is part of a much wider commitment to EDI across Ulster Camogie, Ulster GAA and Ulster LGFA. Through working together, we are committed to breaking down barriers, building relationships with diverse communities and ensuring that everyone feels welcome, valued and able to participate.

Gaelic Games are for everyone — and we want everyone to know they have a place within our clubs and communities.