GAA celebrates milestone at Hayes Hotel after 140 years of gaelic games in Ireland

Celebrations were underway today in Thurles following the arrival of some staff of the GAA to Hayes Hotel to mark the significant milestone.

"Today marks the 140th anniversary of the birth of the GAA, having been founded at a meeting in the billiard’s room of the Hayes Commercial Hotel in Thurles on November 1, 1884," a statement began. 

"The meeting elected Maurice Davin as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the positions of secretary to Michael Cusack, John Wyse-Power and John McKay.

"Patrick McKay, a great-grandson and the oldest surviving direct relative of the founding officers, was present at an event held in Hayes’s Hotel today by the GAA History & Commemoration Committee to mark the Association’s founding where a presentation was made to the hotel."

GAA Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan, has given an interview to the gaa.ie website to acknowledge this landmark date and which has been sent to the wider membership. It is available to read here https://www.gaa.ie/article/tom-ryan-hails-remarkable-140-year-history-of-gaa

The GAA today is active in 52 countries, with more than 1,600 clubs across Ireland and almost 500 abroad forming World GAA.

Hurling, revived from its near extinction post An Gorta Mór, has UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status alongside Camogie. Gaelic Football and Ladies Gaelic Football are on Ireland’s national list of cultural heritage.

GAA Handball is 100 years old this year and together with Rounders and Scór complete the sporting and cultural links which embeds the GAA in so many communities.