Centenary celebrations of foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Centenary of the GAA
Date
1984
Location
Ireland
Organised by
Gaelic Athletic Association
The centenary of the Gaelic Athletic Association celebrated 100 years since the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) with a series of events, commemorative releases, merchandise and competitions throughout 1984.
The GAA was established in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary on 1 November 1884 to foster and preserve Ireland's unique games and athletic pastimes.[1] In an address to the Association, TaoiseachGarret Fitzgerald stated "During this hundred years, the association has made a profound contribution to Ireland. In a unique way, it has created a sense of community among Irish people both at home and abroad".[2]
Plans to celebrate the centenary began in 1978,[3] with redevelopment of Semple Stadium estimated at £500,000.
Commemorative productions and events
Booklet
A special booklet, published by the GAA entitled "A Centenary of Service" was launched by GAA President Paddy Buggy, containing messages of congratulations from civic and religious leaders and other personalities.[4]
Medal
A special commemorative medal was designed by Dublin jeweller Thomas Gear, whose previous work included similar items for the 1979 Papal visit to Ireland of Pope John Paul II and the Joyce centenary. It featured on one side a hurling player about to strike a sliotar surrounded by the text Cumann Lúthchleas Gael – GAA – Comórad Céad Bliain. On the obverse, it features a relief of Hayes Hotel, Thurles.[5] The medals were produced in limited quantities in 20 carat gold, Irish silver and bronze. The silver was made specially available by the Bank of Ireland, smelted from silver ore from the Tynagh Mines in County Galway.[6]
Centennial Salute
The 'Centennial Salute' is a piece of music written specifically for the centenary by Joe Lynch, then musical director of the Artane Boys Band.[7]
Exhibition
A special exhibition was held at the RDS Dublin between 16 and 20 May 1984 [8] which featured historical artifacts from across Ireland. The exhibition was officially opened by Minister for Public Service John Boland.[9]
The Wexford Centenary committee commissioned writer Nicky Furlong to write a play-pageant to outline the Association's activity in the county. It was directed by Tomás Mac Anna, director and producer of Dublin's Abbey Theatre.[11]
Two inter-county competitions, one each in football and hurling were organised. This competition differed from the traditional All-Ireland Championships in that it was an open draw across all the participating counties, rather than following the provincial championship format.[12]
The football competition began on 8 April, the hurling competition on 15 April, with both finals played in Croke Park on 20 May.
Four teams of the century were selected, one in football and one in hurling, and another set covering both codes involving players who had never won an All-Ireland Championship.[18][19]
The players on the teams were nominated by Sunday Independent readers and were selected by a panel of experts and former players.[20]
^Banbridge Chronicle - Thursday 26 July 1984 "“A Centenary of Service” the official GAA brochure celebrating the Association's Centenary — has been launched by national president Paddy Buggy. The brochure contains messages of congratulations from leaders of Church and State and articles on the personalities and major events which influenced the development of the Association." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840726/271/0026
^Banbridge Chronicle - Thursday 26 July 1984 "The medals are limited in number to : 100 only in 20 carat gold, 4,000 only in Irish silver and 10,000 in bronze. The Irish silver has been made available by Bank of Ireland from a special smelting of silver ore from the Tynagh Mines in County Galway." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005418/19840726/271/0026
^Meath Chronicle Thu 13 Jun 2024 The Centenary Cup [...] was a once-off knockout out competition to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the GAA and with Dublin and Kerry (both of whom went on to contest that year's All-Ireland SFC final) knocked out early it proved to be a wide open and exciting competition. https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2024/06/13/centenary-cup-win-was-the-start-of-a-golden-era-for-meath/
^Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies Bulletin, v.3, no.2, pp. 49–50 and; B. W. O'Dwyer, 1989, "The Shaping of Victorian Rules Football", Victorian Historical Journal, v.60, no.1.
^Richard Davis, 1991, "Irish and Australian Nationalism: the Sporting Connection: Football & Cricket"
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