‘An Ghaeltacht’ came to Swords between the 9th and 13th of August 2021 when Fingallians GAA hosted their inaugural Irish language summer camp or ‘Club Samhraidh C.L.G. Fhine Ghallainn’ (Fingallians GAA Summer Club). 124 primary school children participated in the sports camp that was conducted exclusively through the medium of the Irish language.The club’s Irish language officer Liam Ó Culbáird said “We were taken aback by the demand that was there. All available places on the course were taken up very quickly. We had 124 youngsters playing football and hurling go h-iomlán trí Ghaeilge. The demand shows the success and popularity of Irish language education and Fingallians GAA are very happy to be able to support that by providing services through Irish. We had a mix of kids from both Gaelscoileanna and non-Irish language schools. This added to the camp in that some participants were learning through immersion and others were delighted to share their knowledge. The camp’s popularity reflects the surge in recent years of interest in the Irish language in Dublin. All the coaches and helpers on the course were Gaeilgeoirí from within the club. For 2022 we intend to expand the Club Samhraidh to cater for children across the Fingal region.”Coaching supervisor Donagh Williams said “As an Irish language speaker, it was a privilege to be able to offer this service to the young athletes of Swords. It was a great achievement to run the Club Samhraidh with such large numbers in our first year. We are grateful to the coaches, helpers, parents and of course the participants themselves. Next week is ‘Heritage Week’ and our sport and language are central parts of Irish heritage. We look forward to being “níos mó agus níos fearr” (bigger and better) next year.Fingallians GAA have received clú agus cáil (fame) within the GAA and further afield for their promotion of the language and sports areas of Irish Heritage.