125 Years of Irish History As Seen Through Prism Of

8NSATURDAY OCTOBER 32009 EWSFEATURE GAELICGAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE 125 yearsofIrish historyas seen throughprism of GAA The storyofhow the GAA has carved out a unique place in the heartofIrish life is the subject of anew book. Suzanne McGonagle reports HE fascination withthe Gaelic Athletic Association amongpeople across Irelandnever ceases to T dwindle. Dozens of books have been written aboutevents on thepitchbut now fans of the sportcan see how events offthe fieldunfoldedduring the 125-year historyofthe GAA. diverse and complex historyofthe The GAA: APeople’sHistory,pub- GAA through the words of local peo- lishedbythe Collins Press,looks at pleineveryparish of Ireland and how Gaelic games have “shaped the among Irishcommunities overseas. lives of generationsofIrish people at Starting from how the GAA was first home and abroad”. established in 1884,the book also Previouslyunseen photographs looksathow theTroubles in the and original historical documents are north exerted pressures on the GAA someofthe fascinating features of while another chapter examineshow the publication, which tellsthe story the clergy have had aspecial place in of the GAAfromthe ordinarypeo- the game. ple’sperspective. Joint author Mark Duncan saidthe ■ WINNINGTRADITION: Norman Ross fills the Sam Maguire Cup at the Royal Hotel on Valentia island as Kerry’sAll-Ireland The book’s authors Mike Cronin, book revealed how theGAA holds celebrations continue into October 1959. Island native Mick O’Connell captained the winning team PICTURE: Kennelly Archive Mark Duncan and Paul Rouseare all aplaceinthe lives of many Irish directors of the GAA Oral History people. we aretalking aboutthe everyday ex- and have been out and about in through the GAA and this is what we Project, which is the largest sports “Therehas been so much written periences of peopleinvolvedinthe schools andplaces so we have been aretrying to do.” historyprojectofits kind. aboutthe GAA over the years but GAA,” he said. able to sample whatthe thoughts of Mr Duncan said the book had re- Theirbook aims to recordthe rich, this book is completely different as “There arepreviously unseenpho- ordinarypeople have been. ceived averypositiveresponse. tographsand historicaldocuments “Wehave three yearsstilltorun in “The response hasbeen great. Alot “Therehas been so much writtenabout the whichare unique in themselves. thisproject butthis book is astart- of people arestruck by the quality “Itisthe sortofbook that you can ing point forus. and reproduction of the photographs GAAoverthe years but this book is dip in and out of or read right “Everyone has an opinion on and historical documents. It’sabeau- completelydifferent as we are talkingabout through. the GAA. We wantthis to be tifully produced book,” he said. “Thereason we have been able to documented. “Most of thephotoshaven’t been theeverydayexperiences of peopleinvolved do it is that we haveall been involved “Thebook showshow the GAA seenbefore. in theGAA” in the GAA Oral HistoryProject at the impacted on people’severyday “When peoplewill lookatthe book, Boston College Ireland. experiences. their own experience will be re- MarkDuncan “Weare all directors of the project “You can tell the historyofIreland flected in what has been written.” ■ BETWEEN WARS: Boys in Dublin playatsoldiers using hurling sticks as mockguns on April 15 1922. In December of thatyear with the civilwar in fullstride, the GAA’s Central Council ■ FROM ABBEY ROAD TO JONES ROAD: The fortunes of ladies’football were transformed with the introduction of live agreed to use its influencetobringthe proand anti-Treaty sides together and helpbringanend television coverage of games. Thisphotowas taken to promote TG4’s coverage of the 2008 All-Irelandfinals at Dublin’s to hostilities.The association’s effortsfailed and the civilwar continued until May 1923 Croke Park. Pictured are the competingcounties’ senior and intermediate captains –Angela Walsh of Cork, Niamh PICTURE: FitzelleCollection: Album135, NationalLibraryofIreland Kindlon of Monaghan, Angela McDermott of Tipperary and Louise Henchey of Clare PICTURE: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile NEWS FEATURE SATURDAY OCTOBER 32009 9 GAELICGAMES IN LIFE OF THE PEOPLE ■ SOFT SEATS AND GREAT VIEWS: Left, membersof the clergy get priority treatmenton the sidelines of the opening of Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarnyin 1936. The ground was officially openedbyDr John MHarty, Archbishop of Cashel and patron of the GAA,and blessed by Dr ■ HAVINGABALL: Long-skirtedcamogie players in aphotographincludedin Michael the book TheGAA:APeople’s History O’Brien, Bishop of Kerry PICTURE: Irish Independent Collection, National Library of Ireland ■ TECHNOLOGY: Players and guests of the Kerrymen’s Association in Dublin gather aroundaTVset to watch highlights of the All-Irelandfootball final on September 24 1962.The photograph wastaken followinga reception and dinner at the International Hotel in Bray,Co Wicklow.Includedin the picture are Finola O’Donoghue of Killarney,Sheila Geaney of Castleisland,Seanie Burrows of Tralee, Paddy Looney of Killarney,Kerry minor team player Paudie O’Donoghue of Duagh and Mr and Mrs Niall Sheehy of Tralee PICTURE: TheKerryman ■ SOCIAL LIFE: A scene from a GAA club in Belfast pictured in the book.

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