Development from 1884-86 and the Removal of Cusack

In Case You Forgot…

• The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), founded on November 1, 1884, at Hayes' Hotel in Thurles, County Tipperary, was a pivotal organisation in reviving traditional Irish sports.
• The foundation meeting was attended by just seven people, including Michael Cusack and Maurice Davin, who became the first president of the GAA.
• Despite the modest attendance, the GAA's formation began a significant movement in Irish cultural nationalism.

Establishment of New Clubs

• Following its establishment, the GAA quickly began to expand. Michael Cusack and other founders were passionate about promoting traditional Irish sports such as hurling and Gaelic football. They travelled across Ireland, encouraging the formation of local clubs.
• Numerous clubs were established in the first few months, and by the end of 1884, several new GAA clubs had been formed.
• These clubs provided structured opportunities for people to play and watch traditional sports, which had declined due to the rise of British sports like rugby and soccer.

Key Meetings

• To coordinate the growing movement, the GAA held several important meetings. These gatherings helped to formalise the rules for Gaelic games and to standardise play across different clubs.
• One significant meeting occurred in January 1885, where the rules for hurling and Gaelic football were debated and agreed upon.
• These rules were crucial for maintaining the traditional aspects of the games while ensuring they were organised and competitive.
• Another key meeting was held in April 1885, which saw the adoption of a constitution for the GAA.
• This document outlined the association's aims and objectives, emphasising the promotion of Irish sports, culture, and identity.
• The GAA's constitution also established a framework for the organisation's governance, including club officials' and members' roles and responsibilities.

The Ban

• One of the most controversial and impactful decisions in the early years of the GAA was the introduction of Rule 27, commonly known as "the ban."
• Implemented in 1886, this rule prohibited GAA members from participating in or attending "foreign" sports, such as rugby, soccer, and cricket.
• The ban was introduced to protect and promote Gaelic games and ensure that the GAA remained focused on reviving Irish culture and identity.
• The ban was met with mixed reactions. While many GAA members and supporters saw it as necessary to safeguard traditional Irish sports, others viewed it as overly restrictive.
• Despite the controversy, the ban played a significant role in solidifying the GAA's identity and differentiating it from other sporting organisations.

Growth and Impact of the Period 1884-86

• By 1886, the GAA had established itself as a major Irish sport and culture force. The association's emphasis on inclusivity and national pride resonated with many Irish people, leading to a rapid increase in membership and the formation of more clubs.
• The GAA's activities extended beyond sports and became a hub for cultural and social events, further embedding itself in the fabric of Irish society.
• The GAA's early development, from 1884 to 1886, laid the foundation for an organisation that would become a cornerstone of Irish culture.
• Through the establishment of new clubs, the formalisation of rules, key meetings, and the introduction of the ban, the GAA helped to revive traditional Irish sports and foster a strong sense of national identity.

The Removal of Cusack and the Links between GAA and Nationalism

• From the very outset, the GAA was divided internally, and believe it or not, one key source of division was Cusack himself.
  • Cusack was quite stubborn, wanting things to be done his way and his way alone, which upset many people.
  • Several complaints were made about him that he was not carrying out his proper duties, many letters were not replied to and receipts of club fees were not being provided.
  • Moreover, there were complaints that teams who had won competitions were not being given medals.
  • Ultimately, Cusack had too much mounting pressure against him and was forced to resign in 1886.

• The links to Nationalism were clear. Cusack himself was an ex-IRB activist and founded the Land League (which has already been covered in earlier notes).
• Parnell was a member of the HRP and Archbishop Croke (whom Croke Park is named afterwards a firm Nationalist too. This became a slight issue for two key reasons:
  • It would be hard to get Unionists to join.
  • The GAA may attract the attention of the IRB, who may look to influence its running.
• In the next set of notes, we will examine the GAA's relationship with the IRB, the Parnellite split, and its fortunes post-1891.