GAELICGAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE 125 yearsofIrish ...directors of the GAA Oral History Project,...
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8 NEWS FEATURE SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 2009 T HE fascination with the Gaelic Athletic Association among people across Ireland never ceases to dwindle. Dozens of books have been written about events on the pitch but now fans of the sport can see how events off the field unfolded during the 125-year history of the GAA. The GAA: A People’s History, pub- lished by the Collins Press, looks at how Gaelic games have “shaped the lives of generations of Irish people at home and abroad”. Previously unseen photographs and original historical documents are some of the fascinating features of the publication, which tells the story of the GAA from the ordinary peo- ple’s perspective. The book’s authors Mike Cronin, Mark Duncan and Paul Rouse are all directors of the GAA Oral History Project, which is the largest sports history project of its kind. Their book aims to record the rich, diverse and complex history of the GAA through the words of local peo- ple in every parish of Ireland and among Irish communities overseas. Starting from how the GAA was first established in 1884, the book also looks at how the Troubles in the north exerted pressures on the GAA while another chapter examines how the clergy have had a special place in the game. Joint author Mark Duncan said the book revealed how the GAA holds a place in the lives of many Irish people. “There has been so much written about the GAA over the years but this book is completely different as we are talking about the everyday ex- periences of people involved in the GAA,” he said. “There are previously unseen pho- tographs and historical documents which are unique in themselves. “It is the sort of book that you can dip in and out of or read right through. “The reason we have been able to do it is that we have all been involved in the GAA Oral History Project at the Boston College Ireland. “We are all directors of the project and have been out and about in schools and places so we have been able to sample what the thoughts of ordinary people have been. “We have three years still to run in this project but this book is a start- ing point for us. “Everyone has an opinion on the GAA. We want this to be documented. “The book shows how the GAA impacted on people’s everyday experiences. “You can tell the history of Ireland through the GAA and this is what we are trying to do.” Mr Duncan said the book had re- ceived a very positive response. “The response has been great. A lot of people are struck by the quality and reproduction of the photographs and historical documents. It’s a beau- tifully produced book,” he said. “Most of the photos haven’t been seen before. “When people will look at the book, their own experience will be re- flected in what has been written.” The story of how the GAA has carved out a unique place in the heart of Irish life is the subject of a new book. Suzanne McGonagle reports ■ WINNING TRADITION: Norman Ross fills the Sam Maguire Cup at the Royal Hotel on Valentia island as Kerry’s All-Ireland celebrations continue into October 1959. Island native Mick O’Connell captained the winning team PICTURE: Kennelly Archive ■ FROM ABBEY ROAD TO JONES ROAD: The fortunes of ladies’ football were transformed with the introduction of live television coverage of games. This photo was taken to promote TG4’s coverage of the 2008 All-Ireland finals at Dublin’s Croke Park. Pictured are the competing counties’ senior and intermediate captains – Angela Walsh of Cork, Niamh Kindlon of Monaghan, Angela McDermott of Tipperary and Louise Henchey of Clare PICTURE: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile GAELIC GAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE 125 years of Irish history as seen through prism of GAA ■ BETWEEN WARS: Boys in Dublin play at soldiers using hurling sticks as mock guns on April 15 1922. In December of that year with the civil war in full stride, the GAA’s Central Council agreed to use its influence to bring the pro and anti-Treaty sides together and help bring an end to hostilities. The association’s efforts failed and the civil war continued until May 1923 PICTURE: Fitzelle Collection: Album 135, National Library of Ireland “There has been so much written about the GAA over the years but this book is completely different as we are talking about the everyday experiences of people involved in the GAA” Mark Duncan
Transcript of GAELICGAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE 125 yearsofIrish ...directors of the GAA Oral History Project,...
8 NEWS FEATURESATURDAY OCTOBER 3 2009
THE fascination with theGaelic Athletic Associationamong people acrossIreland never ceases todwindle.
Dozens of books have been writtenabout events on the pitch but nowfans of the sport can see how eventsoff the field unfolded during the125-year history of the GAA.
The GAA: A People’s History, pub-lished by the Collins Press, looks athow Gaelic games have “shaped thelives of generations of Irish people athome and abroad”.Previously unseen photographs
and original historical documents aresome of the fascinating features ofthe publication, which tells the storyof the GAA from the ordinary peo-ple’s perspective.The book’s authors Mike Cronin,
Mark Duncan and Paul Rouse are alldirectors of the GAA Oral HistoryProject, which is the largest sportshistory project of its kind.Their book aims to record the rich,
diverse and complex history of theGAA through the words of local peo-ple in every parish of Ireland andamong Irish communities overseas.Starting from how the GAA was first
established in 1884, the book alsolooks at how the Troubles in thenorth exerted pressures on the GAAwhile another chapter examines howthe clergy have had a special place inthe game.Joint author Mark Duncan said the
book revealed how the GAA holdsa place in the lives of many Irishpeople.“There has been so much written
about the GAA over the years butthis book is completely different as
we are talking about the everyday ex-periences of people involved in theGAA,” he said.“There are previously unseen pho-
tographs and historical documentswhich are unique in themselves.“It is the sort of book that you can
dip in and out of or read rightthrough.“The reason we have been able to
do it is that we have all been involvedin the GAA Oral History Project at theBoston College Ireland.“We are all directors of the project
and have been out and about inschools and places so we have beenable to sample what the thoughts ofordinary people have been.“We have three years still to run in
this project but this book is a start-ing point for us.“Everyone has an opinion on
the GAA. We want this to bedocumented.“The book shows how the GAA
impacted on people’s everydayexperiences.“You can tell the history of Ireland
through the GAA and this is what weare trying to do.”Mr Duncan said the book had re-
ceived a very positive response.“The response has been great. A lot
of people are struck by the qualityand reproduction of the photographsand historical documents. It’s a beau-tifully produced book,” he said.“Most of the photos haven’t been
seen before.“When people will look at the book,
their own experience will be re-flected in what has been written.”
The story of how theGAA has carved out aunique place in theheart of Irish life is thesubject of a new book.Suzanne McGonaglereports
■ WINNING TRADITION: Norman Ross fills the Sam Maguire Cup at the Royal Hotel on Valentia island as Kerry’s All-Irelandcelebrations continue into October 1959. Island native Mick O’Connell captained the winning team PICTURE: Kennelly Archive
■ FROM ABBEY ROAD TO JONES ROAD: The fortunes of ladies’ football were transformed with the introduction of livetelevision coverage of games. This photo was taken to promote TG4’s coverage of the 2008 All-Ireland finals at Dublin’sCroke Park. Pictured are the competing counties’ senior and intermediate captains – Angela Walsh of Cork, NiamhKindlon of Monaghan, Angela McDermott of Tipperary and Louise Henchey of Clare PICTURE: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
GAELIC GAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE
125 years of Irish history asseen through prism of GAA
■ BETWEEN WARS: Boys in Dublin play at soldiers using hurling sticks as mock guns on April15 1922. In December of that year with the civil war in full stride, the GAA’s Central Councilagreed to use its influence to bring the pro and anti-Treaty sides together and help bring an endto hostilities. The association’s efforts failed and the civil war continued until May 1923
PICTURE: Fitzelle Collection: Album 135, National Library of Ireland
“There has been so much written about theGAA over the years but this book iscompletely different as we are talking aboutthe everyday experiences of people involvedin the GAA”
Mark Duncan
9SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 2009NEWS FEATUREGAELIC GAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE
■ HAVING A BALL: Long-skirted camogie players in a photograph included inthe book The GAA: A People’s History
■ SOFTSEATS ANDGREATVIEWS: Left,members ofthe clergy getprioritytreatment onthe sidelines ofthe opening ofFitzgeraldStadium inKillarny in1936. Theground wasofficiallyopened by DrJohn M Harty,Archbishop ofCashel andpatron of theGAA, andblessed by DrMichaelO’Brien, Bishopof Kerry
PICTURE: IrishIndependentCollection,
National Libraryof Ireland
■ SOCIALLIFE: Ascenefrom aGAA clubin Belfastpictured inthe book
■ TECHNOLOGY:Players and guests ofthe Kerrymen’sAssociation in Dublingather around a TV setto watch highlights ofthe All-Ireland footballfinal on September 241962. The photographwas taken following areception and dinnerat the InternationalHotel in Bray, CoWicklow. Included inthe picture are FinolaO’Donoghue ofKillarney, SheilaGeaney ofCastleisland, SeanieBurrows of Tralee,Paddy Looney ofKillarney, Kerry minorteam player PaudieO’Donoghue of Duaghand Mr and Mrs NiallSheehy of Tralee
PICTURE: The Kerryman
