Balloons launched to mark GAA foundation

Children from St. Malachy's primary school gathered in Armagh city to release 125 balloons marking each year in the history of an association that has become the dominant sporting body in Ireland.

It was part of a set piece at the Ulster GAA headquarters for the province's celebration of Foundation Day.

It is the culmination of an extraordinary year for the organisation that has included the discovery of a forgotten Ulster founder.

Ulster president Tom Daly paid tribute to the grassroots that form the backbone of the GAA.

“When you look at what is happening on the ground you can see that there were half a million players taking part in 18,188 games last year and that was not counting camogie and ladies football,” he said.

“That tells the story of the GAA on club level, on county level and on inter-county level.”

Mr Daly revealed that the expanding organisation had taken over the old Irish National Foresters office next door to its Ulster HQ – “significant premises” which will allow it to provide more support for members.

Planning permission has yet to be sought for the conversion of the historic building in Market Street.

However, it represents a statement of intent for an organisation keen to stress its focus on “tomorrow” and youth.

Sinn Fein regional development minister and GAA member Conor Murphy said it was “more than a sporting organisation”.

“It has a record for which it can be very proud right across Ireland,” he said.

“I has been a great unifying force. I know from my own area and that there are other areas that would have had very little sporting facilities were it not for the GAA.

“It's all about the next generation. That's where you get the greatest pleasure.

“We all love to follow our counties and our teams but we derive the greatest pleasure from seeing young people enjoying the games.”

The young people at the launch were all from St Malachy's primary school in Armagh.

Eight of them had gamely agreed to wear the strips of their rivals for the occasion, with a tenth sporting the Ulster colours.

Their mettle was tested still further as they trooped outside and braved the squally wind and rain for the release of the yellow and black balloons, the colours of Ulster.

After a couple of false starts they were released into the bustling city centre to squeals of delight.

However, it was a day to remember the past too and in particular one man who was almost lost to the association.

Co Down reporter John McKay, who worked as a journalist with The Irish News, was the only Ulster founder of the GAA and his grave in London remains unmarked.

A delegation from the London county board is to travel to the north in coming weeks, beginning the process of marking the grave.

Armagh mayor Thomas O'Hanlon, who hosted the event, said the GAA's influence could not be underestimated.

“I often think when we think of the GAA it is as more than just a sporting organisation, it is part of many communities throughout Ireland and in many cases it is the community,” he said.

“When we look back we can look back with pride at what has been achieved over the years.

“It is about instilling pride in their person, in their club, their community and indeed their county.”

 

The 10 children from St Malachy's Primary School were joined by their parents and Mr Duggan, Secretary of National Cumann Bun Scoil.  Each child wore one of the nine county jerseys and one child wore the Ulster jersey, which they got to keep as a ‘keep-sake' of the important anniversary.

 

 

Ulster GAA president Tom Daly, centre, Armagh mayor Tom O'Hanlon, left, and regional development minister Conor Murphy along with 10 children from St Malachy's primary school wearing the team colours of the nine Ulster counties and of the Ulster provincial team release 125 balloons to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the GAA.

Logon to http://ulster.gaa.ie/2009/10/30/125-balloon-launch/ to read more.