This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletics Association - this strong icon of modern Ireland has certainly come a long way since its foundation in November 1884 at Hayes Hotel Thurles, Co.Tipperary by Michael Cusack, Maurice Davin and Archbishop Croke amongst a total of 7 founding members.

To celebrate this major anniversary, there are plenty of events around the country celebrating the birth and growth of our national games. Read on for more…

The following are just some of the major events that will celebrate our National games this year…

• 21st February 2009, Athlone. The Scor na Og takes place in Athlone, and this is an All Ireland talent final for 17 year olds. A feast of Irish music, song and dance is in store for attendees!

 

• 17th March 2009, Dublin. The Feast Day of Ireland’s Patron Saint, St Patrick, will feature the GAA as the main pageant at the marvellous festival parade that lights up Dublin City. Themes of the festival will include the skill of the sport, and its sense of community. This pageant will also be reworked again later in the day, at the ocassion of the All Ireland Club Hurling and Football finals at the home of the GAA, Croke Park.

 

• 17th/18th April, Cork. The annual GAA Congress shall take place in Cork, and GAA members from all around Ireland will attend, with the anniversary celebrated with the spectacular GAA 125 Banquet.
  · 25th April, Nationwide. This day sees the GAA 125 Schools Day. Schools around Ireland will be celebrating the GAA on this day, whereby pupils can wear their club/county colours and take part in GAA activities!

 

• 10th May La na gClub - The Day of the Club. The parish and the club are the heartbeat of the GAA and this day is to be a special one for the approximately 2,000 GAA clubs around the country, and they are invited to organise games and events in their own local areas.

 

• 16th May 2009, Michael Hogan Memorial Game, Grangemockler Co.Tipperary. Talented footballer Michael Hogan was tragically killed at Croke Park in 1920 by the Black and Tans on Bloody Sunday, during a Tipperary versus Dublin match. There will be two games played at his club grounds between Tipperary and Dublin in football, and Tipperary v Kilkenny in Hurling.

 

• 19th - 21st June - Feile Na Gael. This is the national festival for hurling, camogie and handball for boys and girls under 14 and will be held in Laois/Offaly in 2009, and shall be attended by the President of Ireland, who will attend the parade. The event is known for its production of talented players of the future!

 

• Sunday 6th September - The All Ireland Hurling Final will be played at Croke Park, with a celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the birth of the GAA.

 

• Sunday 20th September - All Ireland Football Final to be played at Croke Park.

 

• GAA All Star Awards October 2009 - Date to be confirmed, the All Star Awards are a glitzy celebration of the merits of players in both codes who have performed with distinction throughout the GAA season.

 

• November 1st 2009 - Hayes Hotel Thurles, and Cusack Cottage, Carron County Clare. Both the Central Council and Coiste Bainisti will be meeting on this date for the official 125th birthday of the GAA.

 

• November 2009, date to be confirmed. Grave Rededication for all the founding members of the GAA, of whom some died in obscurity, like Clareman Michael Cusack.

 

• November 2009, date to be confirmed. There shall be a launch this coming November of a special GAA 125th Anniversary book, at Croke Park. The book will document the history of the GAA from the view of the member.

Find out more about GAA 125th anniversary events.

Find out more about Croke Park.

So, if you are interested in attending some of the events to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the GAA why not check out our wide range of Ireland Accommodation.

Are you planning to attend any of these events or maybe your local GAA club is organising an event that you’d like to let others know about. Get in touch in the comment box below.