Gaelic Athletic Association
The man directly involved in the founding of the G.A.A was a Clareman, Michael Cusack. Born in 1847 Cusack went on to pursue a career as a teacher in Blackrock College. In 1877 he set up his own cramming school, the Civil Service Academy, to prepare students for examinations into the British Civil Service. 'Cusack's Academy' as it was known and its pupils did extremely well with the result that the numbers attending it soared. Pupils at the Academy were encouraged to get involved in all forms of physical exercise and, as a language enthusiast, Cusack was troubled by falling standards in specifically Irish games. To remedy this situation and to re-establish hurling as the national pastime, Cusack set up the G.A.A on the first of November 1884 in Hayes's Hotel, Thurles.
Within a few weeks of the foundation of the association Archbishop Croke of Cashel gave it his approval and became its first patron. Its other patrons included both Davitt and Parnell. Cusack was a difficult man to get along with but in the first few months of the organisation he proved to be an excellent organiser. Cusack did not, however continue to run the association for long after its foundation. Within eighteen months he was obliged to resign as a result of his failure to submit accounts for auditing. Archbishop Croke introduced a new rule which forbade members of the G.A.A from playing 'foreign and fantastic games' such as tennis, polo, and croquet.
Foundation of the G.A.A
Aims of the G.A.A
The G.A.A in the Twentieth Century
Up to the turn of the century most of the members were farm labourers, small farmers, barmen or shop assistants. But from 1900 onwards a new type of person - those who were now being influenced by the Gaelic League (1893) - joined the movement. They tended to be clerks, school teachers or civil servants. In 1922 it passed over the job of promoting athletics to the National Athletic and Cycling Association.The Achievements of the G.A.A
Sectarianism and the G.A.A
The G.A.A was often accused of being a sectarian organisation in Northern Irish society. It is said that its establishment was based on political nationalism and republicanism and the Catholic Church. Initially, members were prohibited from playing 'foreign' sports, and such sports are barred from using G.A.A grounds. A ban (written in Rule 21) on members of the British security forces from playing gaelic games was lifted on 17 November 2001 after the creation of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland and after much lobbying from the more progressive majority in the association. Its perceived nationalism made it and its members particular targets for Loyalist paramilitaries during the Troubles.The G.A.A Today
The G.A.A is the largest amateur sports association in Ireland. The G.A.A controls more than 3,000 member clubs and controls about 500 grounds throughout Ireland.Important Dates of the GAA
Major GAA stadia:
External links