Gaelic football Books

Book SynopsisA moving and lyrical memoir about life, love and loss, from a true giant of Gaelic games.In a frenetic seven-year spell at the outset of his senior managerial career, Mickey Harte led Tyrone to four Ulster Championships and three All-Irelands. It was a run that shifted football's balance of power, changed the way the game would be played for over a generation, and cemented his reputation as one of the most transformative figures in GAA history.Then, in January 2011, the visitation of a shocking tragedy changed everything: Mickey's daughter Michaela was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius, and the Harte family, grief-stricken, awoke to find themselves at the centre of an international news story.Devotion, the product of a collaboration between Mickey and author Brendan Coffey, is many things. The story of a family's decade-long struggle to come to terms with an almost unimaginable loss. A meditation on the ways in which faith, community, and sport can sustain us in our most difficuTrade Review‘This is no ordinary memoir. Contained in the 312 pages is every conceivable emotion.It is wonderfully lyrical, nostalgic, funny, dark, tragic, deeply emotional, honest and hopeful’ – Irish News

Read more less

Book SynopsisA provocative look at how grassroots GAA interacts with life in Ireland, from the wittiest Gaelic games pundit at work today The GAA is Ireland''s largest civil society organisation, woven into the fabric of families and communities - and yet most books about Gaelic games focus on the greatest players and inter-county teams. This is the Life is a book about the 99%: a witty and provocative look at grassroots GAA from the most intelligent and interesting Gaelic games pundit at work today.Ciarán Murphy - of Second Captains and the Irish Times - has an unmatched feel for the timeless elements of this world and a finger on the pulse of change. He looks at the plight of rural clubs that are losing their players to the cities - and he does so not only as a journalist but as a footballer who made the same move himself. He writes about working as an assistant in the clothing shop owned by the family of Jarlath Fallon - both Ciarán''s sporting hero and the local postman. And he looks a things we usually prefer not to talk about, like the role of social class in the GAA.This is the Life is a book about the places the GAA comes from, the places it can take a person, and the things that make a local club worth fighting for.''There is a deep understanding of the way the GAA works at every level a brilliant read from start to finish' Paul Rouse, The Irish Examiner

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on the popular Facebook page, which regularly reaches over 500,000 people, The Rory''s Stories Guide to the GAA sends up a certain kind of lad obsessed with the GAA calendar, his local club and county team above everything else.This hilarious guide to the GAA covers it all: bleep tests; post-game hangovers; forty-way WhatsApp conversations; that lad always doing his hamstring; fair-weather Dub supporters; old men who''ve umpired every parish game since the Civil War; Marty Morrissey''s forehead; ham sandwiches; dirty corner-backs; more hangovers; impenetrable Kerry accents; weight training followed by ten pints; pretending to understand tactics; lobbing it up to the big lad; prima donna corner forwards...Infinitely recognisable and laugh-out-loud funny, it''s the perfect gift for GAA fans.''A must read for all GAA fans'' Steven McDonnell, former Armagh Footballer''Haven't put this book down all evening'' Marc Ó Sé, Kerry Footb

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe road to Croke Park can be a long one, but for Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi it was longer than most. Born in a refugee camp in Ramadi, Iraq, at the height of the Gulf War, Zak spent his formative years living under the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein.Settling in Carrick-on-Shannon aged just 11, Zak couldn't speak English, but when he discovered a talent for hurling, life suddenly took off. Zak credits the GAA with giving him the opportunity to put down roots, forge lifelong friendships and build his own life.In this brave, touching and uplifting memoir, Zak reflects on his first 20 years in Ireland: the culture shock of landing in small-town Ireland; the plight of refugees worldwide; the skills he learned through sport and the role it plays in a healthy, balanced mind and in creating a community.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoin sports journalist Evanne Ní Chuilinn as she guides us through the wonderful world of Gaelic Games.Discover what goes on behind the scenes on match day and which county has the zaniest fans! Read about the history of Gaelic sports and join in the hurl or hurley' debate.The latest book in the Gill Books series of big topics tackled by experts brought to life with amazing illustrations, this engaging history introduces Gaelic Games' most significant people, history and culture to fans of all ages.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree years ago, when Cavan footballer Alan O''Mara was twenty-two, he spoke out about his battle with depression which led him to contemplate suicide. Only the thought of his parents and the pain that they would experience in his death prevented him from taking his own life. Now, in The Best is Yet to Come, he tells his story.From the role the GAA played in his life, to the decision he made to share his journey, this is an account of an ordinary young man, a GAA star, who found a way to move past the dark thoughts that beset his mind during his worst days, and who discovered that the only way out of the darkness is to ask for help.''In summoning his courage and becoming the first active inter-county player to speak of his experiences with depression, Alan O''Mara gives a much needed voice to an aspect of human experience that has been cloaked in silence and stigma. This book, which is needed now more than ever, gives a rare glimpse into the complex inner world

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn account of an ordinary young man, a GAA star, who found a way to move past the dark thoughts that beset his mind during his worst days, and who discovered that the only way out of the darkness is to ask for help.Trade ReviewWonderful ... [O'Mara] writes with terrific lucidity about his own struggles with depression and how they pushed him towards suicidal instinct * Irish Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe lore and legend of Gaelic Games has been shaped by great players. Since the Games began, special players have had a unique power to make the heart skip a beat. Now THE GAA IMMORTALS celebrates the achievements of 100 of the very best footballers, hurlers, managers, ladies footballers and camogie players from the start of the twentieth century to the present day. Based around exclusive interviews with a who’s who of Gaelic Games, THE GAA IMMORTALS covers all the codes, giving a unique insight into icons of the games, including Dick Fitzgerald, Mick Mackey, Christy Ring, Jack Lynch, Nicky Rackard, Mick O’Connell, Seán O’Neill, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Angela Downey, Lulu Carroll, Nicky English, DJ Carey, Peter Canavan, Henry Shefflin, Gooch Cooper and Joe Canning. With stars from all 32 counties represented, THE GAA IMMORTALS is a fascinating account of the greatest heroes and legends of the games.Trade Review`John Scally’s latest book celebrates the fantastic players, the unforgettable games, the great rivalries and the wonderful pride in parish and county that is part and parcel of the GAA.’ – EILEEN DUNNE ; `A true celebration of the greats of the GAA.’ – SEAN BOYLAN

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This obsession of mine has brought both joy and torment. The fixation with winning came from within, it roused me and veered on the dangerous.' This is Sean Cavanagh's account of his extraordinary, obsessive drive to dominate his sport. For the first time, we get up close and personal with the lowest ebbs and greatest highs of his career as one of Gaelic football's era-defining players, and with the truth of what it takes to become a three-time All-Ireland and five-time All Star winner. For 20 years, Sean Cavanagh's relentless routine of train-play-repeat fed an insatiable quest for perfection and made him a permanent fixture in the Tyrone team. His fearless, uncompromising style led him to glory, but his obsession also took its toll on body and mind, and on those around him. As well as the highs, there have been some shattering lows: the anguish and doubt of injury, hostility on and off the field of play, the despair at defeat in crucial games, and the nightmare of gossip hounding his family.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGaelic Games are the focus of endless debate and speculation, set the mood of Monday's post-match workplace and dominate pub-talk. For many of us, life and death run second to major GAA events. Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears looks back at some of the best moments from the sporting nation's favourite soap opera. It pays homage to the great players and people in Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' football and camogie. And it glories in the classic victories and thrilling contests witnessed down the decades. Based on exclusive interviews with the greatest personalities in the GAA's rich history, and covering every county in Ireland, here is a unique insight into the passion and politics, the controversies and crises, the wisdom and wit and all the highs and lows of Ireland's national treasure. Full of entertaining anecdotes, inspirational incidents and epic encounters, Blood, Sweat, Triumph & Tears truly captures the magic of the GAA. 'A book to shorten the long winter nights for any GAA fan.' DERMOT EARLEY, Kildare legend 'Will bring back great memories for lovers of Gaelic Games.' KAROL MANNIONTrade Review‘Will bring back great memories for lovers of Gaelic Games.’ – KAROL MANNION, ‘A book to shorten the long winter nights for any GAA fan.’ – DERMOT EARLEY, Kildare legend

Read more less

Book SynopsisFans always answer in the affirmative when their team asks: Will you still love me tomorrow? However, for many GAA fans it is their rivalries that guide them and define them. This unique book celebrates the age-old rivalries that have energised and enlivened the GAA.Based on exclusive interviews with a veritable Who's Who of the great and the good of Gaelic Games, here are remarkable insights into the controversies, epic matches and the thrilling events on and off the field which great GAA rivalries have generated.Full of arresting anecdotes that represent each county, these pages capture the extraordinary pride and passion of Ireland's greatest national treasures: Gaelic football, hurling, ladies football and camogie.John Scally is a lecturer in Trinity College, but in his spare time is a writer and broadcaster. Since 1992 he has written 40 books with cumulative sales of over 150,000 copies. He is the author of the biggest selling GAA book in Ireland, Raising the Banner:The Biography of Ger Loughnane, and for a few years his biography of Tony Ward was the biggest selling rugby book in Ireland.'Will bring back a treasure trove of great memories for GAA fans.'Cyril Farrell'There have been many rivalries through the decades and John Scally will navigate you through them as only he can, with great insight and knowledge and an unrivalled love for our native games.'Donal Ryan'Pulsates with the thrills and spills of epic contests, clashes and controversies. A must read book for GAA fans. It reminds us of who we are.'John O'Mahony

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor over 130 years the GAA has been at the heart of Irish life. Now, in The People’s Games, John Scally tells the compelling stories of the men and women behind the rich history of Gaelic Games.Since the introduction of television Gaelic Games have become a huge entertainment industry, yet at their core remain deeply embedded in the local community. They shape the national conversation and lift the mood of the country. Hurling, ladies’ football, camogie and Gaelic football are Ireland’s greatest national treasures.Gaelic Games are part of the DNA of the Irish Race, and the people are the beating heart of the Games. This comprehensive collection captures the GAA’s evolving history, the fabled heroes, the controversies, the scandals, the pulsating games, the fans, the centrality of the clubs, and the unending and heart-stopping drama.Full of fascinating insights, amusing anecdotes, thrilling tales and new revelations about famous incidents and epic encounters, this volume brings the people’s games alive in all their vibrancy. Based on exclusive interviews, this captivating compendium explores the rich history of the men and women of the GAA who made it all happen.Trade ReviewA book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA. * KIERAN DONAGHY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThey are the chosen few who have drunk from the chalice of immortality. They are the men and women who have been part of the 100 GREAT GAA TEAMS.For GAA fans, our great teams bring colour and richness to our lives. When our team is on a winning streak it imbues us with a deep feeling of solidarity and a glow that uplifts the spirit. Great teams have that special power which energises and connects us. They inspire, make our hearts beat faster and let us dare to dream.All the great and the good are here: Jim Gavin's Dublin; Brian Cody's Kilkenny, Mick O'Dwyer's Kerry; Christy Ring's Cork; Seán Boylan's Meath; Ger Loughnane's Clare; Mickey Harte's Tyrone; Nicky Rackard's Wexford; Galway's three-in-row; Liam Sheedy's Tipperary; Mayo's team of the 50s and many more. 100 GREAT GAA TEAMS is a fantastic tribute to the great teams in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football that have thrilled fans down the years.Trade ReviewThis book will evoke great memories for GAA fans. * MICHAEL DARRAGH MACAULEY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThey are the chosen few who have drunk from the chalice of immortality. They are the men and women who have been part of the 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS.For GAA fans, our great teams bring colour and richness to our lives. When our team is on a winning streak it imbues us with a deep feeling of solidarity and a glow that uplifts the spirit. Great teams have that special power which energises and connects us. They inspire, make our hearts beat faster and let us dare to dream.All the great and the good are here: Jim Gavin's Dublin; Brian Cody's Kilkenny, Mick O'Dwyer's Kerry; Christy Ring's Cork; Seán Boylan's Meath; Ger Loughnane's Clare; Mickey Harte's Tyrone; Nicky Rackard's Wexford; Galway's three-in-row; Liam Sheedy's Tipperary; Mayo's team of the 50s and many more. 101 GREAT GAA TEAMS is a fantastic tribute to the great teams in football, hurling, camogie and ladies' football that have thrilled fans down the years.'A book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA' - Kieran Donaghy'This book will evoke great memories for GAA fans' - Jackie Tyrrell'This book is a long overdue tribute to great GAA teams' - Anthony DalyTrade Review'A book which captures the heart and soul of the GAA.' Kieran Donaghy 'This book is a long overdue tribute to great GAA teams.' Anthony Daly 'This book will evoke great memories for GAA fans.' Jackie Tyrrell

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the incredible story of how the GAA and its people managed to weather the coronavirus pandemic and re-emerge to fight another day. On St Patrick's Day 2020, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland was locking down. Our lives, purpose and favourite pastime as Irish people - meeting each other - stopped overnight. Throughout that dark time, the GAA was at the centre of the country's fightback against covid-19. From the start, thousands of volunteers delivered food and medicine to vulnerable neighbours and friends during lockdown. Croke Park and other major stadia transformed into testing centres; the Association went online to keep people connected and became a beacon of hope. As the Association itself faced financial ruin, its members had their own life and death struggles to contend with. Niall Murphy, of Antrim GAA, was in a coma for sixteen days fighting the virus, and camogie player Marianne Walsh spent her cancer recovery amid strict lockdowns, only dreaming of one day playing for her club again. Hurler Domhnall Nugent battled intense isolation as he recovered from addiction issues. And when championships were shut down after celebrations threatened the association's reputation, uncertainty hung in the air. But through it all, GAA people rallied. Their stories, and the story of the GAA itself, now need to be told.Trade ReviewA terrific idea brought to beautifully intimate colour, exploring an extraordinary time in all our lives through the power of the GAA community. An absolute triumph. * Vincent Hogan, sports reporter, Irish Independent *A brilliant read. The stories in this book are a catalogue of resilience and the capacity of people to find ways to make the best of everything. Damian Lawlor uses his unparalleled network of connections across the GAA to document its Covid experience from new and fascinating perspectives. From extraordinary acts of kindness and decency to the pain of loss, this book tells vivid tales of how GAA members lived through a brutal pandemic. * Paul Rouse, Professor of History, UCD *Through compelling stories and varied perspectives, Lawlor uses his in-depth knowledge of the GAA at all levels to make real the impact of the pandemic on people, families and communities. He captures the human scale of its challenge and the impressive response of players, members, volunteers, clubs and the GAA leadership. The result is a rich, valuable and uniquely Irish account of this global health emergency. * Dr Tony Holohan, Former Chief Medical Officer of Ireland *Upon reading it, After the Storm has arrived at just the right remove from covid and how surreal those times were and how the GAA and its people survived and even thrived in them. We'd heard before of David Brady volunteering to call and talk to isolated strangers on the phone but not what they talked about - now we do. And never before of Marianne Walsh who spent her cancer recovery during the lockdown and within five months was back winning a county. Her story typifies this book: from the gloom there is gold. * Irish Examiner *

Read more less

Book Synopsis101 Great GAA Controversies is a collection of fascinating accounts from the field with appearances from some famous and infamous personalities, like Joe Brolly, Ger Loughnane, Pat Spillane and Babs Keating. With stories from the last 130 years, it is the major controversies that turn national games into our nationwide issues, often infuriating but never boring! Revealing insights into the Cork hurling strikes; Bloody Sunday; The Battle of Omagh; the Tony Keady affair; Louth's lost Leinster final; Kerry's undressing; the Sky Sports deal and of course the gripping events of the never to be forgotten hurling summer of 1998, this collection is bound to enthral all fans of Gaelic Games and might even settle a score or two. Including epic tales from Gaelic football, women's football, camogie and hurling, this book is sure to entertain fans of every GAA sport and continue the lore of the Gaelic Games.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOver the years, the GAA and its people have weathered many storms. But whenever there's a threat, this is when the GAA comes together to look after their own.AFTER THE STORM: How the GAA Found New Hope tells the story of the biggest and most recent threat we have faced, a global pandemic, and how the people of the GAA coped with a situation never seen before. These are stories of resilience and courage in the face of unknown odds, people helping each other as never before, and tales of loss, hope and the will to fight another day.Above all, this is the story of the life-and-death struggle for survival of the GAA and its people, and the incredible way they rallied and found new hope for the future.Trade ReviewA terrific idea brought to beautifully intimate colour, exploring an extraordinary time in all our lives through the power of the GAA community. An absolute triumph. * Vincent Hogan, sports reporter, Irish Independent *The stories in this book are a catalogue of resilience and the capacity of people to find ways to make the best of everything. Damian Lawlor uses his unparalleled network across the GAA to document its covid experience from new and fascinating perspectives. From extraordinary acts of kindness to the pain of loss, this book tells vivid tales of how GAA members lived through a brutal pandemic. * Paul Rouse, Professor of History, UCD *Lawlor uses his in-depth knowledge of the GAA to make real the impact of the pandemic on people, families and communities. He captures the human scale of its challenge and the impressive response of players, members, volunteers, clubs and the GAA leadership. The result is a rich and uniquely Irish account of this global health emergency. * Dr Tony Holohan, Former Chief Medical Officer of Ireland *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollow Colm from his days as a tiny, freckle-faced kid the youngest of seven in a GAA-mad family from Killarney all the way to Croke Park, where he won five All-Ireland titles. They all said was too small and weak to play for Kerry, but he became one of the greatest Gaelic footballers ever.

Read more less

Book SynopsisShane Carthy writes frankly and eloquently about the downward spiral which saw him wake up in St Patrick's Mental Hospital only days after producing a man-of-the-match display in Dublin's 2014 Leinster under-21 final win over Meath. An inspiring story of resiliance and rebuilding.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith no rugby over the summer, sports-mad Eoin Madden and his friends head to Ormondstown GAA club to get involved in hurling and football. Some local bullies spoil things a bit -- but when the ghosts of Brian Hanrahan and Michael Hogan appear, it's clear there is something more sinister brewing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTheinspiring story of how a boy from Dublin's northside found strength in his difference to become a gaelic football great. Choosing GAA over basketball, soccer and hurling, "Jayo" inspired a generation of fans and players. He went on to be a key member of Jim Gavin's 5-in-a-row backroom team.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStunning photographs from the 1960s to the present day: legendary players, matches and moments that have contributed to the narrative of one of the Ireland's most exciting sports. A must for Gaelic Football fans wherever they are. Updated to include Championship 2023.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is almost one hundred years since the Sam Maguire Cup was first awarded to the winner of the All-Ireland Football Championship, the pinnacle of sporting ambition for generations of Gaelic footballers. Here, we celebrate all the heartbreak and glory of the first fifty years of its history. A must' for every GAA enthusiast.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn August 2014, Jim Gavin?s Dubs seemed unstoppable. They were playing football at a level not seen in years ? overwhelming opposition and seemingly growing stronger with every game.Nobody saw it coming: Donegal?s beautifully timed semi-final ambush. The Ulstermen laid bare a chink in the Sky Blues? armour; a tactical hole which Gavin immediately set about filling.Dublin would not lose a championship game again for 2,540 days ?Eric Haughan deep-dives into Dublin''s seven years in footballing nirvana, an era of dominance and drama in which Gaelic football changed forever.Reviewing crucial matches and speaking to players and backroom staff, he pieces together the story of arguably the greatest side the game has ever seen ? and the teams who tried to catch them.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAoife and Aidan Power love playing Gaelic Football. Together, they're so skilful and fast their friends call them Twin Power'. Twins Aoife and Aidan Power would love nothing more than to play at the famous Féile Gaelic Football Competition. With old football rivalries stronger than ever and new ones emerging, can they make their dream come true?

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The greatest Gaelic footballer of all time.' Pat SpillaneWhen Colm Cooper retired from inter-county football in 2017, he left behind a remarkable legacy. The holder of five All-Ireland medals and eight All-Stars, he was Kerry’s stand-out forward for fifteen years. From a family steeped in Gaelic football, and a core member of the Dr Crokes team, Colm was still in his teens when he first played for Kerry at senior level. Overcoming struggles with injury and personal tragedy, Cooper became one of the GAA’s most recognizable and best-loved figures at a time of tumultuous change in the game. But the man known nationally as ‘Gooch’ is also an intensely private figure who has never courted publicity and his personal story remains largely untold. Now Gooch – The Autobiography unlocks a previously unopened door, tracing a compelling path through the life beyond the headlines. This is the story of an ordinary man who became an extraordinary footballer.Trade Review‘An absolute must-read . . . a fascinating insight into his personal journey . . . honest, unassuming and understated’ * Irish Independent *‘One of the game’s greats . . . as razor sharp on the pages of his autobiography as he ever was in the opposition’s half’ * Irish Examiner *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCora Staunton is an iconic figure in the world of modern GAA. In this ground-breaking autobiography, she reveals her extraordinary journey from teenage rookie to the highest-scoring forward in the history of Ladies Gaelic Football. Since making her senior inter-county debut for Mayo at just thirteen years of age, Cora has become a feared and respected opponent on any pitch. Now, for the first time, she recounts the triumphs of her career and the personal struggles that have plagued it. In this refreshingly candid book, Cora recalls finding refuge in the game after the death of her mother, but also speaks openly about the challenges and conflicts she and her teammates have experienced in the under-resourced world of female sport. She gives a fascinating insight into her move to a professional team in Sydney and how she coped with going from a veteran to a newcomer overnight. In the first-ever autobiography of a female GAA star, Game Changer will take its place as one of the most influential and powerful sports books in recent years.Trade ReviewCora Staunton has been the outstanding player of her generation. She’s a richly talented sportsperson who has been a role model to so many Irish women. * Colm 'Gooch' Cooper *Cora Staunton is one of the greatest Irish sportswomen of all-time. … She has left a unique mark on ladies football * Irish Independent *The greatest ladies footballer of all time, this is without doubt -- Colm Parkinson * Joe.ie *Staunton has been the dominant player of her generation … her greatest legacy is that, even after two decades, she’s still fighting for her sport, she’s still determined to be the best and she’d still probably leave a lot of male players in her wake were she given the opportunity * the42 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisGaelic sports have been played for over a century in America, and provide a revealing window into the lives and culture of the Irish community there. Much has been written about the ways that the successes of their politicians, the efforts of the Catholic Church and the solace, identity and friendships offered by a whole range of their social, political and charitable organisations helped the Irish adapt to life in urban America. Far less has been said though about the role of sport, let alone Gaelic games, in allowing them to make sense of their new surroundings and deal with the rigours of adjusting to and progressing in the New World. "Gaelic Games, Nationalism and the Irish Diaspora in the United States" redresses this neglect by uncovering the origins and development of Gaelic sport and by exploring the political, economic and social impact that the GAA has had on Irish communities in America. New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, cities that were not only focal points of Irish immigration but were also the main centres of GAA activity in the US, are taken as case studies. The book draws on detailed archival research, interviews with leading figures in the GAA in America and contains a selection of rare photographs of clubs, teams and players of significance which help to bring to life a remarkable story of cultural preservation, persistence and passion for Gaelic games.Trade Review'Overall, Darby's book is a fine contribution to the study of the emigrant experience in America and a most welcome addition to literature on the history of the GAA.' Irish Studies Review, February 2013 "[Darby] focuses on the four cities - New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco - to show the breadth of the Irish experience and how the GAA interacted with the wider Irish community differently in each city. The result is an enlightening study of one facet of the Irish-American experience as Darby shows not only how the GAA influenced the community and became part of the wider issues of religion, politics and identity but also how Gaelic games in the United States were influenced by circumstances there and reaction to events in Ireland, particularly the recent northern troubles." Books Ireland October 2009 "a tour de force. A brilliant work - [the author's] level of research and detail is to say the least, breathtaking." Denis O'Brien Irish Examiner October 2009 "Anyone who has ever visited New York, or indeed any of the big American cities, will probably be aware of the huge role that the GAA plays in the lives of Irish people, both those new to the Diaspora and into second, third and even more distant generations - A new book by former Antrim footballer Paul Darby, Gaelic Games, Nationalism and the Irish Diaspora in the United States, seeks to provide a detailed history of the Association there since its origins. The key theme is the way in which Gaelic Games and all that had to do with them became and remain a central identifier for Irish people and people of Irish descent but more importantly that it was the focus of much of the social, economic and political life of the Diaspora over more than a century - Darby provides a general overview of the connection between the American GAA and the republican struggle at home which was particularly important at key phases such as between 1916 and 1923, during the hunger strikes in 1981, and most lately of course during the Peace Process. He makes the point that, particularly in latter years, the GAA had often been a minority voice in highlighting what was happening in Ireland but that when major events took place the GAA was invariably at the centre of the enlarged interest of the general Irish population - Darby's book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the GAA in the US mainly from an administrative and sociological perspective and as such is probably the best and most accurate account of the GAA there to date." Click on this link for the full review: www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/38946 Matt Treacy - An Phoblacht October 2009 "For many of those who left Ireland in the late 19th century and beyond, the GAA has been something that they have been able to keep in their lives. In the vastly different environment of the USA, the GAA gave them a sense of the familiar and a reminder of home - In [this book Paul Darby] uncovers the origins of Gaelic games in the US in the late 19th century, accounts for their subsequent development and explores the socio-economic, political and cultural impact of the GAA in Irish-America - The book also examines the relationship between US branches of the GAA and Irish nationalism and shows that this relationship varied according to events both in America and in Ireland - The research conducted by Dr Darby details the ways in which the GAA in the US has become increasingly de-politicised in recent years. The peace process in Northern Ireland has inevitably played a huge part in this - The GAA has also had to adapt due to the downturn in immigration over the last 10-15 years, which has seen a whole host of Irish organisations in America struggle. Those who are so passionate about preserving Gaelic games are increasingly looking to young Irish-Americans as well as children without any Irish lineage to sustain these sports in the future." Click on this link for the full review: www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/gaaus Martin Harkin - InsideIreland.ie October 2009 'This study is as rigorous as any advisor of studies could wish but manages to be entirely readable. It concentrates on the obvious 'Irish' centres, Boston, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Darby tells the story of that journey in sufficient detail to satisfy equally historian and besotted fan.' Verbal Magazine Issue 28, Dec 2009 'The author shows how the activities of the Gaelic Athletic Association helped immigrants adjust to life in America and helped each city's Irish community to retain its 'Irishness'. The book also shows the connection of the GAA to politics in Ireland, especially through its mobilization of support for the Easter Rising in 1916 and the activities of Republican groups during the recent Troubles. Comprehensive and very readable, especially [as it is] a scholarly work, Darby's book will interest both cultural historians and readers wanting to know more about Gaelic sports in America. Book News January 2010 'Gaelic sports have been played for over a century in the US, and they provide a vivid glimpse into the lives and culture of the Irish communities there. - It's a study that's long overdue and darby, senior lecturer in sports studies at the University of Ulster, brings immense scholarship and a passion for the sport to his groundbreaking work.' Irish Voice February 2010 'Paul Darby should be commended for the wide-ranging nature of this account - This largely empirical account is rooted in the basic interplay between local and global influences, and Gaelic Games not only sheds new light on transatlantic connections between Ireland and Irish America, but also illuminates the fundamental tension within the wider diaspora.' Minorities and MigrantsTable of ContentsIntroduction; ONE: Crossing the bowl of tears: the Irish journey to America; TWO: Sowing the seeds: the origins and early development of Gaelic games in America; THREE: Patriots and players: the GAA and Irish nationalism in late nineteenth-century America; FOUR: Preserving Ireland's sporting heritage: Gaelic games in the US from the turn of the century to the Great War; FIVE: Fluctuating fortunes: the GAA in America from the roaring twenties through the Great Depression; SIX: Revival, 'Golden Age' and decline: Gaelic games in post-war America; SEVEN: Lest we forget: Gaelic games and Irish-American nationalism, 1900-68; EIGHT: Striving to survive: The North American County Board in the late twentieth century; NINE: Ourselves alone: The New York GAA since 1970; TEN: The GAA, Northern Ireland's 'Troubles' and Irish-American identity politics; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Read more less