Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association
The GAA has long been a powerhouse in Ireland. Ireland's national pastimes of
Gaelic football and hurling pack stadiums all over the country. When you consider
that 80,000 people—paying at least €20 to €30 each—stuff Dublin's Croke Park
Stadium and that all the athletes are strictly amateur, you might wonder, “Where
does all the money go?”
Ireland has a long tradition of using the revenue generated by these huge events
to promote Gaelic athletics and Gaelic cultural events throughout the country in
a grassroots and neighborhood way. So, while the players (many of whom are
schoolteachers whose jobs allow for evenings and summers free) participate only
for the glory of their various counties, the money generated is funding children's
leagues, school coaches, small-town athletic facilities, and traditional arts, music,
and dance—as well as the building and maintenance of giant stadiums such as
Croke Park (which claims to be the third-largest stadium in Europe).
In America, sports are usually considered to be a form of entertainment. But in
Ireland, sports have a deeper emotional connection. Gaelic sports are a heartfelt ex-
Search WWH ::




Custom Search