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GAA Keeping Rural Ireland Alive

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As I write this, the new Leinster club champions Mullinalaghta have just appeared on the late late show and well done to them. They have given hope to clubs up and down the country. It was interesting to listen to their captain speak about the post office gone, shop, one pub closed and one left etc....however the GAA club is the ever constant. My club wouldn't be much bigger and I'd imagine it's a case in every county where most clubs are rural, with services and people disappearing. So for all the giving out we do just be thankful that we are all part of a fantastic organization, far from flawless and at times extremely frustrating but it's ours all the same and it's keeping communities alive. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 14/12/2018 21:55:14 2154324 Link
You could'nt put a price on the contribution of the GAA to the social and economic development of Ireland, particularly but not exclusively for rural Ireland . It is the only reason why many young people stayed around or kept the link by returning to play and then coming back to live. There would be nothing but tumbleweed in many small villages and towns in Ireland only for it. Still a bit concerned about the rate of change in rural Ireland in last 10 years. The life and vitality is being drained out of the place and Minster Ross is going to close the few remaining open pubs accelerating the decline and irreversibly changing a way of life and the character of Ireland. Mullinalaghta is a great story , they represent themselves , their club and county really well on and off the field and epitomise the values we should fight hard to retain. facethepuckout (Roscommon) - Posts: 214 - 14/12/2018 22:58:30 2154326 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "As I write this, the new Leinster club champions Mullinalaghta have just appeared on the late late show and well done to them. They have given hope to clubs up and down the country. It was interesting to listen to their captain speak about the post office gone, shop, one pub closed and one left etc....however the GAA club is the ever constant. My club wouldn't be much bigger and I'd imagine it's a case in every county where most clubs are rural, with services and people disappearing. So for all the giving out we do just be thankful that we are all part of a fantastic organization, far from flawless and at times extremely frustrating but it's ours all the same and it's keeping communities alive." The GAA is a catch all term.. The people of Mullinlaghta are the GAA but so to are central council who are doing their best to kill off clubs (they are not but their contempt for the CPA and unwillingness to facilitate clubs in an ever expanding inter county season are not doing anything to help Mullinlaghta and their ilk) bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 14/12/2018 23:13:07 2154327 Link
While this is an outlier story - I'd be for merger of rural clubs typically forming units more substantial - like Leicester with potential of winning Premier League, not Halifax with no potentisl of winning the FA Cup. omahant (USA) - Posts: 2570 - 15/12/2018 02:00:15 2154331 Link
GAA clubs should try harder to encourage the use of an teanga Gaeilge. A big Irish success story of the last 30 years has been TG4, and to a lesser extent the GAA. The GAA should offer Conradh na Gaeilge an office in their clubs all over the country. This is the way forward for the GAA, as part of a "Pan Gaelic revival". Slán galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 15/12/2018 15:10:37 2154357 Link
Replying To galwayford: "GAA clubs should try harder to encourage the use of an teanga Gaeilge. A big Irish success story of the last 30 years has been TG4, and to a lesser extent the GAA. The GAA should offer Conradh na Gaeilge an office in their clubs all over the country. This is the way forward for the GAA, as part of a "Pan Gaelic revival". Slán" Comórtas Peil Na Gaeltachta, Irish/cultural officers appointed in each club, all team sheets filled in as Gaeilge...People speak a language not an organisation.. You can bring the horse to water etc. Tell us what initiatives your club is doing and if successful, we'll copy.. Maybe bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 15/12/2018 19:28:44 2154369 Link
Lads I'll say it again there is only one things aside from family keeping our youth at home and coming home at the weekend...the GAA club. And my heading is slightly misinformed because it's great to see the GAA thriving in urban areas too but I think rural areas need some help...we are out on our feet. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 15/12/2018 22:10:13 2154378 Link
In Clondalkin in Dublin there is Arás Chrónáin, a base for a lot of Gaelic language activities. The local clubs should try and use their clubhouses for Ciorcal Comhra's for example. And liase with the local Gaelscoilleanna. Jim Gavin is involved in Clondalkin. galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 15/12/2018 23:04:45 2154382 Link
Replying To omahant: "While this is an outlier story - I'd be for merger of rural clubs typically forming units more substantial - like Leicester with potential of winning Premier League, not Halifax with no potentisl of winning the FA Cup." Leicester City are not an amalgation of clubs. Better at least try to first improve the standards of so-called weaker clubs and counties than talk about amalgamation which will kill pride in the parish, pride in the county and create biterness with newly amalgamated teams when local politicians want to pick the teams. Mullinalaghta winning Leinster can inspire so-called weaker clubs, who might have a bit of an inferiority complex, that they can be better organised and more dedicated and go and beat other clubs they looked up to rather than fear them. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 16/12/2018 02:46:34 2154389 Link
Replying To facethepuckout: "You could'nt put a price on the contribution of the GAA to the social and economic development of Ireland, particularly but not exclusively for rural Ireland . It is the only reason why many young people stayed around or kept the link by returning to play and then coming back to live. There would be nothing but tumbleweed in many small villages and towns in Ireland only for it. Still a bit concerned about the rate of change in rural Ireland in last 10 years. The life and vitality is being drained out of the place and Minster Ross is going to close the few remaining open pubs accelerating the decline and irreversibly changing a way of life and the character of Ireland. Mullinalaghta is a great story , they represent themselves , their club and county really well on and off the field and epitomise the values we should fight hard to retain." Minister Ross trying to keep the young country lads alive so they can play with their clubs - don't be so hard on him. neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 16/12/2018 15:40:20 2154401 Link
The GAA need to think long and hard about their place in Irish life. They are not guaranteed success and growth. There is scope though for them to develope: As fitness centres and as walking clubs. As centres of Gaelic culture An teanga Gaeilge As tourist attractions eg Croke park and others. Unesco recognising Hurling is an example. galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 16/12/2018 16:46:52 2154406 Link
Regarding Irish culture, the FFG govt gave the Irfu, Irish rugby 90 million euros to redevelope the Aviva stadium. This fact is never mentioned in the media. galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 16/12/2018 16:49:59 2154408 Link
http://www.theliberty.ie/2010/10/19/the-real-cost-of-the-aviva-stadium/ galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 16/12/2018 16:59:49 2154411 Link
http://www.theliberty.ie/2010/10/19/the-real-cost-of-the-aviva-stadium/ galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 16/12/2018 16:59:49 2154412 Link
Replying To facethepuckout: "You could'nt put a price on the contribution of the GAA to the social and economic development of Ireland, particularly but not exclusively for rural Ireland . It is the only reason why many young people stayed around or kept the link by returning to play and then coming back to live. There would be nothing but tumbleweed in many small villages and towns in Ireland only for it. Still a bit concerned about the rate of change in rural Ireland in last 10 years. The life and vitality is being drained out of the place and Minster Ross is going to close the few remaining open pubs accelerating the decline and irreversibly changing a way of life and the character of Ireland. Mullinalaghta is a great story , they represent themselves , their club and county really well on and off the field and epitomise the values we should fight hard to retain." Ross can be an absolute buffoon about a lot of things but I think he is 90% right about the drink driving. 90% because, for me, if you drink any alcohol you shouldn't get behind the wheel. If the man hadn't a posh accent attitudes towards him would be different. He faced down the vintners association, many of whom paint it as black and white as saying if a man or woman can't drink and drive it'll kill their business. What Ross should do, is get O'Donoghue to give the rural publican a tax rebate to pay for taxis, give free soft drinks, tea, coffee etc to day designated drivers to bring drinkers to the rural pub. God knows they get enough revenue from alcohol so less alcohol sold is less tax take. The drink driving culture has killed many for many years. Meeting up in the pub isn't the only form of social activity for young and old. It's a very nice one when it happens but publicans and drinkers need to work with local politicians to arrange some type of transport to do it safely and revenue can rebate anyone out of pocket. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 16/12/2018 17:57:46 2154414 Link
Regarding drink culture, the Guinness company or sponsoring the 6 nations for the next few years. What does this say about the relationship between alcohol and rugby? galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2517 - 16/12/2018 21:33:32 2154436 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Regarding drink culture, the Guinness company or sponsoring the 6 nations for the next few years. What does this say about the relationship between alcohol and rugby?" You tell us. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 16/12/2018 22:34:03 2154442 Link
i hate amalgamations,i would feel no sense of pride if my club joined up with another team or got an influx of players from another club. my club are senior but have spent a long time in intermediate and even a while in junior.i remember our first junior title and it meant as much then as anything we won after. one life,one club. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 17/12/2018 08:51:48 2154456 Link
Replying To GreenandRed: "Ross can be an absolute buffoon about a lot of things but I think he is 90% right about the drink driving. 90% because, for me, if you drink any alcohol you shouldn't get behind the wheel. If the man hadn't a posh accent attitudes towards him would be different. He faced down the vintners association, many of whom paint it as black and white as saying if a man or woman can't drink and drive it'll kill their business. What Ross should do, is get O'Donoghue to give the rural publican a tax rebate to pay for taxis, give free soft drinks, tea, coffee etc to day designated drivers to bring drinkers to the rural pub. God knows they get enough revenue from alcohol so less alcohol sold is less tax take. The drink driving culture has killed many for many years. Meeting up in the pub isn't the only form of social activity for young and old. It's a very nice one when it happens but publicans and drinkers need to work with local politicians to arrange some type of transport to do it safely and revenue can rebate anyone out of pocket." Has anyone ever been killed by a hungover driver? The amount of morning checkpoints is unbelievable lately. That's the real way one could be caught. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 17/12/2018 10:51:15 2154466 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Regarding drink culture, the Guinness company or sponsoring the 6 nations for the next few years. What does this say about the relationship between alcohol and rugby?" You need to be drunk to play rugby! neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 17/12/2018 11:59:45 2154474 Link