This summer hundreds of thousands of people across the island of Ireland will participate in the celebration of cultural independence. This is a movement that many people attend and a celebration that is beamed into many more houses through television, internet and radio. Many people are already members of this revolutionary organisation but don't even know it. This organisation is none other than the Gaelic Athletic Association.
From its early foundations the GAA was at the forefront of the independence movement. It has pushed, not just for political independence, but also for cultural independence. It has championed issues such as the Irish language. It refused to let soldiers of occupying forces to become members. It ignored partition, remaining a thirty two county organisation. It has also been very progressive on women in sport, something that is often lacking in other sports. In recent years, it has been very open when GAA players have come out as gay.
The GAA, from the outset, had significant ties with the republican cause. Bloody Sunday of 1920 in Croke Park is just an early example of the links between the GAA and the republican movement. British forces knew that an attack on the GAA would be an attack on the struggle for Irish freedom. Michael Hogan, who was playing for Tipperary on that day, was also an active IRA volunteer. John Joe Sheehy managed to play for Kerry in Croke Park while still being on the run from Free State Forces. Aidan McAnespie, an enthusiastic young GAA member, was murdered by British forces on his way to a match in 1988. Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club received harassment from a British military base that occupied part of their playing grounds for many years. The community had the local GAA club as a rallying point for opposition to this oppression.
If you throw on a jersey this summer, or travel to a match, or just enjoy the sport from the comfort of your own home remember the proud tradition that you follow. Whatever county you support, remember that you are part of a revolutionary movement.
1 comment:
I love GAA-nothing beats a trip to Croke Park over the summer months (By this stage viewers will be aware that I’m either from Tyrone, Cork or Kerry)
But I personally think the ticket prices for the matches particularly this year are extortionate. The GAA need to catch themselves on and return to the days of non profit making. Of course I know they need funds to maintain stadia, develop their organisation etc but tickets prices for this years championship are a complete joke. They are forcing many people, particularly families to watch games at home on TV-games which are at times not even screened live.
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