The Story of the GAA

Renowned children’s writer Vincent McDonnell puts his trademark spin on the story of the GAA, turning the facts into a fascinating story for younger readers. The GAA, the Gaelic Athletic Association, is the most important sporting organisation in Ireland today. It was started by just a few people with vision and now has more than 800,000 members. Every year, teams compete to win trophies, cheered on by fans dressed from head to toe in county colours. In Dublin city a small piece of green space, 144 metres by 86 metres, is possibly the most famous place in Ireland. Hardly a single Irish boy or girl hasn’t dreamed of one day running onto the pitch at Croke Park to the roar of 80,000 people. This is the story of the GAA, a story of sport and of the men and women who play the games. Ideal as a reference tool for projects in primary schools, it will appeal to both boys and girls. Starting with the founding of the GAA it describes the origins of hurling and football and their popularity and it celebrates great players like Christy Ring and Pat Spillane and talented GAA families like the A Ses of Kerry and the Larkins of Kilkenny.Find out about famous GAA trophies and grounds, major competitions and the results down though the years. Learn more about Ladies Football, Camogie and Handball, and discover how the GAA - celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2009 - has grown to be Ireland’s largest and most renowned sporting organisation.