Gaelic Games
In Ireland, Gaelic Games, music, dance and our language lie at the heart of who we are and what it is to be Irish. Our games, music and dance are truly unique. Also, they are exhilarating, exciting and engaging. They will not only interest visitors to our shores, they will WOW them.
The games are the traditional sports played in Ireland. Our two main games are Gaelic Football & Hurling, both of which are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Other games organised by the GAA include Rounders and Gaelic Handball. Hurling is considered the oldest and fastest field sport in the world. Its first literary reference dates back to 1272 BC during the battle of Moytura in County Mayo.
During the late 19th century, our native indigenous games in Ireland were dying out. This decline was stopped and reversed by the GAA and the Gaelic Revival.
Today, Gaelic Football and Hurling are the most popular games in Ireland.
‘The Heart of the Community’
Players are boys and girls across all age groups from Under 8 to Under 18, and men and women of all ages.
Every weekend Club matches are played in every town and village of Ireland. The very biggest matches regularly attract attendances of over 50,000 per game.
The All-Ireland Finals attract 82,500 every September to an extraordinary stadium in Dublin: “Croke Park” based close to city centre Dublin.