GAA memorabilia fair coming to The Dome for all Tipperary gaelic games aficionados

Everything is in place for this year’s GAA Memorabilia Fair, which will take place in the Dome, Semple Stadium on this Saturday, December 10 from 12 noon to 4pm.

Organised by Lár na Páirce, the Museum of Gaelic Games at Thurles, it will give aficionados of the GAA and opportunity to browse and search a large selection of match programmes, club histories, hurling, football, camogie, ladies football and handball publications, as well as other GAA material in the pleasant and spacious surroundings of the Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles.

And mentioning ‘other GAA material’, a recent book expands the concept of memorabilia in a major way. Author, Siobhán Doyle, has produced ‘A History of the GAA in 100 Objects’ in which she has gathered ‘objects of importance to people and communities across the GAA and use them to get a deeper insight into the evolving meaning of the association.’

The author moved beyond match programmes, medals, trophies and jerseys into a more varied selection of objects and has enlarged the concept of memorabilia as a result.

For instance, her 100 objects include Prison Art from Long Kesh, the John 3:7 sign, an Artane Band Tunic, the Scissors used to cut the ribbon to open the Cusack Stand in 1938, John Joe Doyle’s

protective goggles, Cúl Camp back pack, GAA Congress Voting Card (2010), South African Flag from the Tailteann Games, Five in a Row manhole cover (2019), a Bootlace from Bloody Sunday,

Diary of U.S. Tour (1926), and more.

So, maybe if you took a closer look in the attic, the back of drawers, or in the thatch, you might find some object that could be an important bit of memorabilia!

Collectors and sellers will be present at the fair and if you wish to have a proper sales position to display your memorabilia, it can be booked in advance, free of charge by contacting Liam Ó Donnchú at 086-6026547 or Seamus J. King at 087-2246245.

Admission for all will be €5, with accompanied children free. The venue will have disable access, facilities for teas and coffees, etc.