The origins of Gaelic games predate recorded history. Bardic sources provide an insight into the character of the pre-GAA games. Hurling predominates, but there are also references to football. Fragments of the ancient Brehon Laws show that hurling was regulated from at least the eighth century. After the Norman invasion of the 12th century, hurling was restricted by the English Crown. Foreign visitors to Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries noted that hurling and football occupied an important place in the social life of the community.
In August 1884 Micheal Cusack and Maurice Davin met a group of nationalists in Loughrea, County Galway, and outlined their plans to establish a national organization, the Gaelic Athletic Association, for Irish athletes and to revive hurling. Dr. T. W. Croke, (Archbishop of Cashel) became the first patron of the Association, and Croke Park in Dublin (the Association Headquarters) is named in his honor.
The Gaelic Athletic Association is more than a sporting organization. Although it is dedicated to promoting the games of hurling, football, handball, rounders, and camogie, the Association also supports activities which enrich the culture of the nation and further Gaelic ideals, including the Irish language and Irish music and dance. The GAA endeavors to strengthen pride in the communities it serves.
The GAA is the largest sporting organization in Ireland, boasting 2,800 clubs comprising of approximately 182,000 footballers and 97,000 hurlers. Membership of the GAA exceeds 800,000 at home and abroad ensuring its role as a powerful national movement with an important social and cultural influence in Irish life.
The players are all amateurs, and so are playing for "the glory of the parish pump". Games are organized along age group levels. Players are classed as juvenile up to 16, minor up till 18, and Senior from there on up. Additionally under 21 games are organized at an inter-county level, in order to give younger players regular games throughout the season. There are two other groupings, junior and intermediate but these are based on skill rather than age. As well as this, the games are played at schools and colleges levels at varying standards, which at college level, oft times rival inter county under 21 standards.
During the summer months, the All-Ireland championships takes place. It is the dream of every player in the country to win an All-Ireland medal for his county. This is seen by all as the ultimate goal. The championships are first played province by province. Each of the four provincial champions then play in All-Ireland semi-finals, and the subsequent winners in the All-Ireland final.
GAA.ie - Official GAA website
North American GAA - Official website of the North American GAA
Hurling - About the game
Football - About the game
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