A History of the GAA in 100 Objects

Siobhan Doyle

• Publisher: Merrion Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN:
  9781785374258
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781785374265
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Irish History
• Index: History

The Gaelic Athletic Association is a huge part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the sports. In popular imagination and experience, the GAA is often evoked in terms of its objects: medals passed down from generation to generation, jerseys worn in All Ireland finals, Michael Cusack's blackthorn stick, a pair of glasses damaged during the events of Bloody Sunday. This fascinating book offers a new perspective on the GAA by assembling a range of objects from every county in Ireland, as well as overseas, to present a chronological history of the GAA that also functions as a social history of the people who have been involved in it. From a fifteenth-century horsehair sliotar to a tweed camogie dress, Trevor Giles's sleeveless jersey and Brian Cody's baseball cap, all corners of the GAA world, personal and official, are explored and celebrated in A History of the GAA in 100 Objects.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Dedication
• Title page
• Copyright
• Acknowledgements
• List of Object
• Introduction
• 1. Wooden Mether (Medieval)
• 2. Hair Hurling Ball (Early 15th century)
• 3. Illustration of Handball Game (1785)
• 4. ‘Citie of the Tribes’ Banner (c.1800s)
• 5. Michael Cusack’s Blackthorn Stick (c.19th century)
• 6. Letter from Michael Cusack to Maurice Davin (1884)
• 7. Bray Emmets Banner (1887)
• 8. Davitt and Croke Commemorative Plate (c.1888)
• 9. GAA Rule Book (1888)
• 10. Handball signed by Fr Tom Jones (c.1890s)
• 11. Tubberdora Cap (c.1890s)
• 12. Aghabullogue Hurl (1890)
• 13. All-Ireland Football Challenge Cup (1896)
• 14. Archbishop Croke Stained-glass Window (early 1900s)
• 15. Illustration of Gaelic Footballer by George Fagan (c.1900s)
• 16. Map of Croke Park (1913)
• 17. Dublin County Board Minutes (1913)
• 18. Dick Fitzgerald’s Coaching Manual (1914)
• 19. Silver Mounted Camán (1914)
• 20. Letter from Bob O’Keeffe to John J. Higgins (1914)
• 21. GAA of USA Medal (1915)
• 22. Poster Banning GAA Events (1916)
• 23. Rounders Bat (c.1922)
• 24. Bootlace from Bloody Sunday (1920)
• 25. Sideline Flag from Ballykinlar Internment Camp (1921)
• 26. Haughney Memorial Cup (1922)
• 27. Sam Maguire’s Pocket Watch (1923)
• 28. Gold Medal from Tailteann Games (1924)
• 29. Diary of US Tour (1926)
• 30. Account Book from Gaelic Field, Dungarvan (c.1927)
• 31. The Tipperary Hurler by Seán Keating (1928)
• 32. John Joe Doyle’s Protective Goggles (1930s)
• 33. Henry Kenny’s Leather Boots (c.1930s)
• 34. Hurleymaker’s Spokeshave (c.1930s)
• 35. Fermanagh Exiles Team Sash (1930)
• 36. South Africa Flag from Tailteann Games (1932)
• 37. Gold Pin from Camogie Tournament (1933)
• 38. GAA Golden Jubilee Postage Stamp (1934)
• 39. Collectable Cigarette Card (c.1930s)
• 40. Mullingar Town Trophy (1934)
• 41. Waterford GAA Calendar Poster (1937)
• 42. Scissors used to open the Cusack Stand (1938)
• 43. ‘Thunder and Lightning’ Final Ticket (1939)
• 44. Football from All-Ireland Final (1943)
• 45. Unofficial Match Programme (1944)
• 46. Handball Medal found in South Africa (1946)
• 47. Napkin from Hotel Empire, New York (1947)
• 48. Player’s Please Figure (c.1940s)
• 49. Cap signed by Christy Ring (1952)
• 50. Gold Key from Opening of Casement Park (1953)
• 51. Miniature Sam Maguire Cup (1954)
• 52. Our Games Annual (1958)
• 53. Wembley Match Programme (1959)
• 54. Hurl from Turloughmore’s Six-in-a-row (c.1960s)
• 55. Co. Down Hand-knitted Cardigan (1960s)
• 56. Referee’s Whistle (c.1960s)
• 57. All-Star Jersey (1963)
• 58. Antrim Camogie Dress (c.1960s)
• 59. First GAA Helmet (1966)
• 60. Harty Cup Plaque (1967)
• 61. Chalice with Football Medals (1968)
• 62. Letter from Fr Tom Scully to Offaly Footballers (1969)
• 63. Handmade Model of GAA Pitch (c.1970s)
• 64. Scór Programme (1973)
• 65. Kilmacud Sevens Winners Plaque (1973)
• 66. Joe Kernan’s Runners-up Plaque (1977)
• 67. Dóirín Mhic Mhurchú’s Handmade Press Pass (1970s)
• 68. John Egan’s Glove (1978)
• 69. Poc Fada Marking Stone (c.1980s)
• 70. Prison Art from Long Kesh (1980s)
• 71. Up for the Final Concert Programme (1982)
• 72. Centenary Cairn (1984)
• 73. ‘Donegal Goes Home’ Centennial Poster (1984)
• 74. Sculpture Presented to Michael O’Hehir (1988)
• 75. Trevor Giles’s Sleeveless Jersey (1990s)
• 76. Donegal Champions Jigsaw (1993)
• 77. ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’ Cassette (1996)
• 78. Colie K’s Hole in the Ceiling (1998)
• 79. ‘John 3:7’ Sign (1999)
• 80. Shane Curran’s Kicking Tee (c.2000s)
• 81. Anthony Tohill’s Football Boots (2001)
• 82. Kit Manager’s Bag (2003)
• 83. Signed Armagh Ladies Football Jersey (2005)
• 84. Waterford Crystal Chandelier (2005)
• 85. Gaelic Games: Football PlayStation 2 Game (2005)
• 86. Tyrone ‘GAA 125’ Anniversary Jersey (2009)
• 87. Brian Cody’s Cap (c.2010s)
• 88. Flag Trolley (c.2010s)
• 89. GAA Congress Voting Card (2010)
• 90. Hawk-Eye Camera (2011)
• 91. Rubber Bas Hurl (2018)
• 92. Fundraising Wall (2019)
• 93. Artane Band Tunic (2019)
• 94. Five-in-a-row Manhole Cover (2019)
• 95. Transilience (2020) by David Sweeney
• 96. Cúl Camp Backpack (2021)
• 97. All-Ireland Final Yellow Sliotar (2020)
• 98. Gaeil Ruairí Óg Mural (2021)
• 99. Maggie Farrelly’s Referee Report Card (2021)
• Bibliography
• Index