GAA 125
Encyclopedia
GAA 125 refers to several events which took place during the 125th year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) in 2009. The organisation was founded at Hayes Hotel in Thurles
, County Tipperary
on 1 November 1884.
The Irish Film Institute
showed a film series to commemorate the occasion. A special exhibition was also held.
The Late Late Show
hosted a special episode dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the GAA. The episode, presented by Pat Kenny
, was aired on RTÉ One
on 9 January 2009 and was planned well in advance as soon as the 2008 Toy Show
had ended. The Athlone Advertiser said the show was "a shocker. A genuine shocker. So much of the show lacked élan
and panache
that it became very difficult to stop switching the bloody thing off".
The Evening Herald
put together a list of "125 New Year Resolutions " for the GAA in January 2009.
Events were launched at Croke Park
, Dublin, with the opening match of the National Football League 2009
between Dublin
and Tyrone
on 31 January 2009. It was also only the second football match to take place under floodlights, following its predecessor in February 2008. The event included a fireworks display as well as commentary from Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
, with the festivities being hosted by Hector Ó hEochagáin
. A soundtrack of Irish music featuring bands such as The Cranberries
and Snow Patrol
was put together by Larry Mullen, Jr. for the fireworks display, whilst Mundy
and Sharon Shannon
performed during half-time. The match ended with a victory for Tyrone by a score of 1-18 to 1-16.
President of Ireland
Mary McAleese
gave the Ó Fiaich Lecture in March 2009, speaking about the significance of the oraganisation's history. On 17 March 2009 (Saint Patrick's Day
), the GAA was a central feature of the Dublin parade.
A conference occurred in Croke Park one day in April. 24 April 2009 was designated GAA 125 Schools Day and those of school-going age were encouraged to wear costumes related to the GAA.
In May, two matches were held in Grangemockler, County Tipperary
, to remember Michael Hogan who was shot dead by authorities while on the field of play. At least 400,000 people from around the world took part in events held for Lá na gClub on 10 May 2009.
Avondale
's Parnell Summer School examined the connections between sport and society in August. A conference titled "The birth of Croke Park in the Ballyhoura mountains" took place that month in honour of Frank Dineen, a unique man in that he was a former president and secretary of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
RTÉ Radio 1
broadcast original commentary from its archive footage of All-Ireland Football Finals and All-Ireland Hurling Final
s on Sunday mornings between June and September. Guinness
, a major sponsor of hurling
and itself celebrating its own 250th anniversary
in 2009, donated €250 per goal scored during the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, which led to nearly €25,000.
The GAA 125 Quiz Final took place in Croke Park's Museum on 18 September 2009. Jimmy Magee
was quizmaster on the night. The winner received a prize of a trophy, dinner, overnight stay in a hotel and tickets to the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
on the night of which they were also to appear on The Sunday Game
television highlights package on RTÉ One
. A qualifying round previously took place at the same venue three weeks earlier on 28 August 2009. Irish language
television channel TG4
also conducted a similar quiz on its website in association with Jimmy Magee.
A special book dedicated to the 125th year of the GAA will be released in November. It is titled The GAA—A People’s History. The book includes journal entries and photographs from the 125-year period of the GAA's existence.
On the anniversary on 1 November there was a Mass
at Thurles Cathedral, a ceremony at Thurles
's Dr Croke
monument, celebrations at the GAA Museum in Croke Park and a day of GAA television programming on TG4.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) in 2009. The organisation was founded at Hayes Hotel in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
on 1 November 1884.
The Irish Film Institute
Irish Film Institute
The Irish Film Institute is both a film theatre and a national body that supports Irish Film heritage. It maintains an archive of Irish films and provides education in film culture. It shows independent and foreign language films overlooked by commercial multiplexes at its cinema in the Temple Bar...
showed a film series to commemorate the occasion. A special exhibition was also held.
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
hosted a special episode dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the GAA. The episode, presented by Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
, was aired on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
on 9 January 2009 and was planned well in advance as soon as the 2008 Toy Show
The Late Late Toy Show
The Late Late Toy Show—also known as The Toy Show— is an annual iconic and influential Irish institution, an edition of the world's longest-running chat show, The Late Late Show broadcast on RTÉ One in Ireland each Friday evening. The Toy Show, as it is referred to, is broadcast in late...
had ended. The Athlone Advertiser said the show was "a shocker. A genuine shocker. So much of the show lacked élan
Élan
Élan Corporation plc is a major drugs firm based in Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland which has major interests in the United States. In the late 1990s its value on the Irish Stock Exchange reached over €20bn. It has secondary listings on the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange....
and panache
Panache
Panache is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of a flamboyant manner and reckless courage.The literal translation is a plume, such as is worn on a hat or a helmet, but the reference is to King Henry IV of France...
that it became very difficult to stop switching the bloody thing off".
The Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
put together a list of "125 New Year Resolutions " for the GAA in January 2009.
Events were launched at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, Dublin, with the opening match of the National Football League 2009
National Football League (Ireland) 2009
The 2009 Allianz National Football League was the Gaelic football league contested by 33 GAA counties' football teams: 32 from Ireland and one from England. The tournament began with a game between Dublin and Tyrone on the 31st of January 2009 at Croke Park...
between Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
on 31 January 2009. It was also only the second football match to take place under floodlights, following its predecessor in February 2008. The event included a fireworks display as well as commentary from Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is an Irish Gaelic games commentator for the Irish national radio and television, RTÉ. In a career that has spanned six decades he has come to be regarded as the "voice of Gaelic games." His prolific career has earned him a place in Guinness World Records.-Early...
, with the festivities being hosted by Hector Ó hEochagáin
Hector Ó hEochagáin
Hector Ó hEochagáin is an Irish television and radio presenter from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. He currently presents Breakfast with Hector weekday mornings on RTÉ 2fm.-Career:...
. A soundtrack of Irish music featuring bands such as The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
and Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
was put together by Larry Mullen, Jr. for the fireworks display, whilst Mundy
Mundy
Mundy is an Irish singer-songwriter. 'Mundy' is a nickname given to Enright, as it not only refers to his name Edmund, but it is how he pronounces the word "Monday".-Biography:...
and Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon is an Irish musician. She is best known for her work with the accordion and for her fiddle technique. She also plays the tin whistle and melodeon. Her 1991 album Sharon Shannon is the best selling album of traditional Irish music ever released there...
performed during half-time. The match ended with a victory for Tyrone by a score of 1-18 to 1-16.
President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
gave the Ó Fiaich Lecture in March 2009, speaking about the significance of the oraganisation's history. On 17 March 2009 (Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
), the GAA was a central feature of the Dublin parade.
A conference occurred in Croke Park one day in April. 24 April 2009 was designated GAA 125 Schools Day and those of school-going age were encouraged to wear costumes related to the GAA.
In May, two matches were held in Grangemockler, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, to remember Michael Hogan who was shot dead by authorities while on the field of play. At least 400,000 people from around the world took part in events held for Lá na gClub on 10 May 2009.
Avondale
Avondale Forest
Avondale Forest is a wooded estate in County Wicklow, Ireland on the west bank of the River Avonmore. It contains the home of Charles Stewart Parnell which was built in 1777 by Samuel Hayes and is now the Parnell Museum...
's Parnell Summer School examined the connections between sport and society in August. A conference titled "The birth of Croke Park in the Ballyhoura mountains" took place that month in honour of Frank Dineen, a unique man in that he was a former president and secretary of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
broadcast original commentary from its archive footage of All-Ireland Football Finals and All-Ireland Hurling Final
All-Ireland Hurling Final
The All-Ireland Hurling Final is the last match to be played in the All-Ireland Hurling Championships . The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final is one of the biggest sporting occasions to be held in Ireland every year...
s on Sunday mornings between June and September. Guinness
Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
, a major sponsor of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and itself celebrating its own 250th anniversary
Arthur's Day
Arthur's Day refers to a series of music events which were first organised in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewing company by its owner Diageo plc....
in 2009, donated €250 per goal scored during the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, which led to nearly €25,000.
The GAA 125 Quiz Final took place in Croke Park's Museum on 18 September 2009. Jimmy Magee
Jimmy Magee
Jimmy Magee is a longstanding Irish sports broadcaster. Known as 'the Memory Man', he has spent over half a century in sports broadcasting...
was quizmaster on the night. The winner received a prize of a trophy, dinner, overnight stay in a hotel and tickets to the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The 2009 All-Ireland Football Final was the 122nd All-Ireland Final and the last football match of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2009 played between Cork and Kerry on 20 September 2009 in Croke Park, Dublin. Kerry won by a score of 0-16 to 1-09. It was their 36th All-Ireland SFC...
on the night of which they were also to appear on The Sunday Game
The Sunday Game
The Sunday Game is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's main Gaelic games television programme. It is shown on RTÉ Two every Sunday during the Football Championship and Hurling Championship seasons. It is one of RTÉ Two’s longest-running shows, having been on air since 1979, one year after the channel first...
television highlights package on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
. A qualifying round previously took place at the same venue three weeks earlier on 28 August 2009. Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
television channel TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
also conducted a similar quiz on its website in association with Jimmy Magee.
A special book dedicated to the 125th year of the GAA will be released in November. It is titled The GAA—A People’s History. The book includes journal entries and photographs from the 125-year period of the GAA's existence.
On the anniversary on 1 November there was a Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
at Thurles Cathedral, a ceremony at Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
's Dr Croke
Thomas Croke
Thomas William Croke D.D. was the second Catholic Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand and later Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland...
monument, celebrations at the GAA Museum in Croke Park and a day of GAA television programming on TG4.
See also
- 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship FinalThe 2009 All-Ireland Football Final was the 122nd All-Ireland Final and the last football match of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2009 played between Cork and Kerry on 20 September 2009 in Croke Park, Dublin. Kerry won by a score of 0-16 to 1-09. It was their 36th All-Ireland SFC...
- 2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship FinalThe 2009 All-Ireland Hurling Final was a hurling match played on 6 September 2009 in Croke Park, Dublin, between Kilkenny and Tipperary. It was the first time the two teams had met in the All-Ireland final since 1991...
External links
- Official website of the Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
- The Late Late Show—GAA Special at RTÉRaidió Teilifís ÉireannRaidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
- GAA 125 years photo exhibition at Croke Park at The Irish TimesThe Irish TimesThe Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...