Latest news with #Quassy
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Department of Justice urged to process GAA Palestine visas for ‘once-in-a-lifetime' hurling trip
THE DEPARTMENT of Justice has been urged to process visa applications for Palestinian kids due to travel to Ireland next Wednesday. 3 GAA Palestine is a non-political sports organisation promoting the playing of Gaelic Games in Palestine 3 GAA Palestine play with homemade hurls as shown by 11-year-old Quassy who made his with a slat from his bed 3 St Oliver Plunketts fundraised €2,315 for the GAA Palestine trip But, just before the West Bank group submitted their applications, the estimate for turnaround time jumped from four to eight weeks. And there is still no sign of them getting the necessary documentation to travel. Founder and Chairperson of GAA Palestine Stephen Redmond said: "The lack of clarity and urgent communication from the Department of Justice is deeply concerning. 'Our volunteers, children, and families are eagerly awaiting their visas, and any further delay jeopardises this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to foster understanding and cultural exchange through sport. read more on GAA 'We call on the department to act swiftly and transparently to ensure these visas are processed without delay, so our young participants can experience the warmth and hospitality of Ireland as planned and give these young players two weeks of respite that they truly deserve." The delay has already led to the cancellation of plans to attend events hosted by clubs in Derry and Belfast because that would require them to obtain a separate visa to enter Northern Ireland. And there is understandable concern about the group being able to travel to Ireland at all because of the hold-up which is also reported to be affecting those due to come here for medical treatment. A statement said: 'GAA Palestine demands immediate action and transparency from the Department of Justice regarding the pending visa applications currently under review. Most read in GAA Hurling 'Despite numerous inquiries, the department has refused to provide any update or timeline, leaving volunteers, host families, children and coaches in limbo as critical deadlines approach. 'The lack of communication and accountability is unacceptable. The delay threatens to undermine our plans and the opportunities these visas are meant to facilitate. Watch RTE pair Morrissey & Mullane lose their minds commentating on Tipperary wonder goal "We call on the Department of Justice to prioritise this matter and deliver the necessary information without further delay. 'We remind the Department of Justice that immediate processing of visas is essential to ensure passports and travel documents can return to the travelling party in the West Bank before they depart on July 16.' Former Dublin footballer Michael Darragh MacAuley added: "In the midst of unimaginable pain and suffering these children have been offered hope through the power of sport. 'GAA is all about community and looking after one another. GAA Palestine epitomises that caring ethos for others. "I really hope common sense prevails and these young players can get the chance to visit Ireland and enjoy their childhoods again."
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Palestinian GAA club who play with homemade hurls hope to attend All-Ireland hurling final in two weeks
THEY are not alone in trying to source tickets for the All-Ireland hurling final. But, if 33 Palestinian kids and 17 adults succeed in getting into Croke Park for Advertisement 3 St Oliver Plunkett's have fundraised €2,315 for the trip 3 11-year-old Quassy showing off his homemade hurl 3 Schoolkids posing with the GAA Palestine flag The group is due to arrive in Dublin on Friday week for a fortnight's stay which has been overseen by For example, the weekend before last, St Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh's Under-8 boys, Under-15 and minor girls teams joined forces to hold a fundraiser which brought in €2,315. Flights for the group came in at around €40,000 but other costs have been brought right down with families across the country volunteering to put them up and Paddywagon providing free transport for the two weeks. Already, though, logistics have ensured that they have had to drop their intention to include the six counties on their itinerary. Advertisement Read more on GAA They have experienced lengthy delays in trying to obtain visas for them to travel to the Republic of Ireland without trying to negotiate a second process on top of that. But a solution has been found whereby the clubs in Belfast and Derry which were due to host events for them will instead travel across the border to ensure they still play their part. It will reinforce what might be seen as an unlikely bond between Ireland's indigenous sports and a small, besieged corner of the Middle East. The first and to date only GAA club was founded in Ramallah by English-born Irishman Stephen Redmond last year. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Comment It was renamed the Moataz Sarsour after a club volunteer who was killed by the Israeli Defence Forces last August. Curiously, it is hurling rather than football which has captured the imagination and become known as 'the freedom sport'. Watch RTE pair Morrissey & Mullane lose their minds commentating on Tipperary wonder goal GAA Palestine posted a video of Quassy who used a slat from his bed in the tent he has lived in since his home in Gaza was destroyed, for a hurl to be crafted by a carpenter neighbour. Clearly, getting people out of Gaza in the current circumstances is impossible with those travelling all coming from the West Bank. Advertisement The usual hold-ups by Israeli troops to cross into Egypt are anticipated but it is hoped their journey will otherwise pass off unhitched to allow them avail of Irish hospitality and offer some respite from their daily struggles. TO donate to the Dublin leg of the trip, visit Or to donate to the Cork leg, go to
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Crazy 8': Quassy's newest spinning roller coaster gets a name
MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Quassy's newest spinning roller coaster has a name after a public naming contest! The ride, Crazy 8, has a figure-eight track design with cars that rotate as they glide through the course. Stolen Quassy sea monster carousel figurine recovered 40 years later Cassie Shaw was selected as the winner for submitting the name. Her naming victory allows her to be the first rider at the Crazy 8 grand opening and receive four combo passes to the park, according to Quassy officials. 'Quassy has always meant generations of family fun to me,' Shaw said in a written statement. 'My mom and her sisters brought me, my sisters, and cousins here when we were kids, and now I love sharing the experience with my children.' The ride is for all ages and is part of a growing lineup of attractions. For more information on Quassy's new attractions, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stolen Quassy sea monster carousel figurine recovered 40 years later
MIDDLEBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — After nearly 40 years since the disappearance of the Lake Quassapaug sea monster carousel figurine, the theme park is happy to have it back! The sea monster, Hiccocampus, was stolen from the amusement park in November 1985. Its whereabouts have been unknown until this past December when a historian and antique carousel figuring broker found the sea monster listed for sale in Florida. 'We have gotten a priceless piece of our history back,' Quassy President Eric Anderson said in a written statement. Hartford firefighters reunite with girl they rescued a year ago The stolen figurine was the largest of three sea monsters on an antique carousel that operated at the park for over 70 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
