The GAA (Athletic Association Gaelic) is a sports organization dedicated to the preservation of Gaelic sport and the wider dissemination of Irish Gaelic culture. Ireland is a country very attached to its traditions, and wishes to preserve its sporting and cultural heritage as much as possible. That’s why the GAA is such an important organization, coordinating all aspects of Gaelic sports… To find out more, here’s an overview of its history and scope of activity…
The GAA was founded in 1884 by Michael Cusack and Michael Davitt, 2 Irishmen who wanted to raise awareness of Gaelic sports such as Hurling, Camogie (the women’s version of hurling) and Gaelic Football.
At the time, most of these sports were being neglected by the Irish, and the GAA wanted to bring Gaelic cultural heritage up to date.
The gamble paid off: from 1884 to the present day, the GAA has undertaken numerous actions to save these sports, and today there are numerous sports clubs dedicated to them. In addition, this association has helped to unite the Irish around a principle of identity: that of being Irish and keeping one’s cultural past intact.
Such was its success that the GAA now has no fewer than 800,000 members throughout Ireland. Most take part in Gaelic sports, but also in cultural events involving the learning of Irish Gaelic, as well as music and dance.
The GAA, meanwhile, coordinates everything at Croke Park stadium in Dublin.
