Jack Boothman
Encyclopedia
Jack Boothman was President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) between 1994 and 1997. He was an active member of his local Blessington GAA club in County Wicklow
.
He was elected as president of the Association and took up the position in 1994. Boothman championed the abolition of Rule 21
, which debarred members of the British security forces from joining the GAA.
However, Boothman opposed the opening up of Croke Park
to international soccer and rugby, feeling that it would be a "disastrous mistake" for the GAA to benefit competing sports so significantly.
A member of the Church of Ireland
and past pupil of The King's Hospital, Dublin
, Boothman was the first Protestant president of the GAA. He still holds the position of President within his own local club.
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) between 1994 and 1997. He was an active member of his local Blessington GAA club in County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
He was elected as president of the Association and took up the position in 1994. Boothman championed the abolition of Rule 21
Rule 21
Rule 21 of the Gaelic Athletic Association banned members of the British occupational forces and the former Royal Ulster Constabulary from participating in Gaelic games....
, which debarred members of the British security forces from joining the GAA.
However, Boothman opposed the opening up of Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
to international soccer and rugby, feeling that it would be a "disastrous mistake" for the GAA to benefit competing sports so significantly.
A member of the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
and past pupil of The King's Hospital, Dublin
The King's Hospital
The King's Hospital is a Church of Ireland co-educational fee-paying boarding and day school situated in Palmerstown, Dublin, Ireland.Founded in 1669, it is one of the oldest schools in Ireland and was also known as the Blue Coat School....
, Boothman was the first Protestant president of the GAA. He still holds the position of President within his own local club.