The GAA in Northern Ireland — Classroom Resource

The GAA in Northern Ireland

1. 1 CLG — Cumann Lúthchleas Gael The Gaelic Athletic Association — the organisation that runs Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, and handball. Founded 1884. All-Ireland structure — NI counties compete in the same competitions as Republic counties.
2. 2 Ulster GAA The provincial council for the 9 Ulster counties (including the 6 NI counties). The Ulster Championship (Gaelic football) is one of the most competitive provincial championships in Ireland.
3. 3 Casement Park (Belfast) The main GAA stadium in Belfast, in Andersonstown (west Belfast). Undergoing major redevelopment to become an 34,000-seat international stadium. Home to Antrim GAA.
4. 4 GAA and community The GAA club is the centre of many NI Catholic/nationalist communities. The local GAA club provides sport, social events, and Irish language classes. Every parish has a club.
5. 5 Cross-community GAA The GAA has actively developed cross-community programmes — particularly in schools. Coaching in non-traditional communities. The 'Football for All' programme works in controlled schools.
6. 6 Ulster hurling Hurling is less dominant in Ulster than in Munster or Leinster, but the Ulster Hurling Championship is growing. Antrim has the strongest Ulster hurling tradition.

• ▶ PEIL GHAELACH (Gaelic Football): 15 a side. Players can carry the ball for 4 steps, then must bounce or solo. Score: goals (3 points) through the net; points (1 point) over the bar.
• ▶ IOMÁNAÍOCHT (Hurling): 15 a side. Players use a hurley (camán) to hit a leather ball (sliotar). Fastest field sport in the world. Ancient — played in Ireland for over 3,000 years.
• ▶ CAMÓGAÍOCHT (Camogie): women's version of hurling. Same basic rules. Powerful, skilful, and growing rapidly in Northern Ireland.
• ▶ LIATHRÓID LÁIMHE (Handball): played in a court against a wall. Individual or pairs. A traditional skill, now declining but still part of the GAA.
• ▶ FUN FACT: Tyrone, Armagh, and Derry (all NI counties) have won All-Ireland Senior Football Championships. NI counties compete at the very highest level of Gaelic football.
• ▶ CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: learn the basic solo in Gaelic football (balancing the ball on the foot and flicking it to the hand). Takes 10 minutes and every child can do it.