Golf Ireland has welcomed a €67,000 funding allocation through the 2026 Women in Sport (WIS) Programme. The grant is part of a broader €4 million investment in women's sport announced by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD.
The €67,000 allocation matches the funding received by Golf Ireland in each of the past two years and doubles the amount provided in 2022.
Established in 2005, the Women in Sport Programme has directed over €30 million into women's athletics through ringfenced funding. Distributed via National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, the 2026 funding focuses on four target areas: active participation, coaching and officiating, visibility, and leadership and governance.
Golf Ireland plans to direct the €67,000 toward its Level Par programme, which encompasses initiatives such as the Women in Golf Charter, Get Into Golf, Girls Festivals, Girls Golf Programme, Chip & Chat, DriveON, the Menstrual and Menopause Resource, Period Positive Events, and the Women in Sport Programmes Audit Tool.
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly highlighted the role of the grant in driving engagement at the community level.
“This investment is hugely important in helping us build on the momentum we are seeing in participation across the game. Through our Level Par initiatives, clubs are creating more opportunities for women and girls to get involved, whether that’s taking up golf for the first time, returning to the sport, volunteering, coaching or progressing into leadership roles,” Kennelly said. “We are grateful to Minister O’Donovan, Minister McConalogue, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Sport Ireland for their continued commitment to women’s sport, which enables organisations like Golf Ireland to deliver meaningful and lasting opportunities.”
Minister Patrick O’Donovan referenced recent national physical activity data when discussing the government's objectives.
“The most recent Irish Sports Monitor findings highlighted the significant progress made over the lifetime of the National Sports Policy with 46% of women now participating in sport weekly. The results also illustrated the ongoing need for investment to eliminate a persistent gender participation gap. We remain committed as a government to eliminating the participation gap and the funding announced today is vital to achieving that goal and ensuring that every woman and girl can excel in all aspects of sport,” O'Donovan said.
Minister Charlie McConalogue noted the long-term impact of state funding in sports governance and participation.
“The sustained investment in the Women in Sport Programme over the past 20 years has enabled the sector to provide opportunities and support for women to participate fully in sport, including in coaching and leadership positions. The funding announced today will build on that progress, helping to foster a sporting culture where women can thrive at every level and be empowered to enjoy the benefits of lifelong participation in sport,” McConalogue said.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Úna May emphasized the organization's wider policy goals.
“The Women in Sport Programme reflects one of our core priorities - ensuring women and girls have equal opportunity to take part in sport throughout their lives. It is central to our vision of an active Ireland, one where everyone can experience the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity,” May said.
Source: Golf Ireland
