A History of the GAA in 100 Objects

The GAA is a part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the sport itself. In popular imagination and experience, the GAA is often evoked in terms of its objects: medals passed down from generation to generation, jerseys worn in All-Ireland finals, Michael Cusack’s blackthorn stick, a pair of glasses damaged during the events of Bloody Sunday. The objects of the GAA range from the informal to the formal and are key to the construction of both personal and official histories. This book repositions a range of objects, originating from the GAA, into the expanded field of Irish history by placing them as central to our understanding of past ideas and experiences. A History of the GAA in 100 Objects acts as a signpost to significant moments in GAA history, offers fresh perspectives on a previously overlooked area of enquiry, and presents new ideas not available elsewhere.

Dr. Siobhán Doyle completed her PhD research in Museum Studies, Death and Commemoration in the Dublin School of Creative Arts at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) in May 2020 and currently works in collections management in the National Museum of Ireland and as a Tutor at TU Dublin. Her research has been published by Four Courts Press in 2016, European Remembrance and Solidarity Network in 2018, Arms and Amour journal in 2019, The Irish Times and History Ireland in 2020, the Imperial War Museum in 2021, and Éire/Ireland journal forthcoming in 2022.