The gov.ie public health message is landing where it matters most this summer: on the playing fields where children spend long days outdoors. A new partnership involving the Health Service Executive (HSE), Healthy Ireland, the GAA and Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps is helping make Mid West camps more SunSmart, with a clear focus on preventing sun damage and building healthy habits early.
Announced on 9 July 2026, the initiative is active across the Mid West and nationwide, encouraging children, parents, coaches and volunteers to take simple steps to stay safe in the sun during outdoor sport and recreation.
gov.ie public health focus reaches Mid West Cúl Camps
In the Mid West, Bernadette Mullins, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer for Cancer Prevention with HSE Mid West, has been visiting camps in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. Recent stops included Ballybrown GAA in Limerick, Cooraclare GAA in Clare, and Nenagh Éire Óg GAA in Tipperary.
The goal is straightforward: help young players and the adults around them understand that skin protection should be part of every summer training session, just like water breaks and protective gear. The campaign comes as skin cancer rates continue to rise in Ireland, with more than 11,000 cases reported annually.
The SunSmart Five Ss explained
The campaign promotes five simple actions that families can remember easily:
- Slip on clothing that covers the skin
- Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
- Seek shade, especially from 11am to 3pm
- Slide on sunglasses to protect the eyes
Health officials also stress that UV rays can still damage skin on cloudy days, so protection is important even when the weather feels mild.
Read more: latest Irish government news and public service updates | Ireland breaking health and policy developments
Why the gov.ie SunSmart message matters for families
This gov.ie-backed campaign is about more than one summer. According to HSE cancer prevention officials, habits formed in childhood are more likely to last into adulthood. That makes school holidays and community sports camps an ideal setting for health education.
Bernadette Mullins welcomed the initiative, saying children across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary will be encouraged to use the Healthy Ireland SunSmart Five Ss while enjoying outdoor activity. She also highlighted the value of reaching families, coaches and volunteers at the same time.
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD said the campaign helps protect children from harmful UV rays and sunburn while reducing longer-term health risks. GAA President Jarlath Burns added that being SunSmart should become as routine as wearing a gumshield or helmet.
Public bodies and community health messaging
While the Health Service Executive (HSE) is leading the health advice, wider public awareness across Ireland often depends on trusted institutions and public information channels, from gov.ie to agencies such as the Department of the Taoiseach, Health, Education, Sport Ireland and the Citizens Information Board. Consistent messaging helps families access practical guidance quickly and confidently.
Explore more: Ireland lifestyle, family wellbeing and summer safety trends | top Ireland news, Health Service Executive (HSE) alerts and community updates
How parents can support SunSmart habits at camp
Parents and guardians can reinforce the gov.ie summer safety message with a few simple checks before children head out the door:
- Pack sunscreen and apply it before camp starts
- Send a hat and light protective clothing
- Include sunglasses where appropriate
- Encourage regular shade breaks
- Remind children that cloudy weather is not risk-free
These small actions can make a significant difference over time, especially during repeated outdoor exposure across the summer months.
Conclusion
The gov.ie-aligned SunSmart campaign at GAA Cúl Camps is a smart example of public health meeting community life. By bringing the message directly to children in Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and beyond, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and its partners are helping turn sun protection into a normal part of sport, summer and everyday family routines.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
