GAA

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is the governing body for Gaelic games in Ireland and among the global Irish diaspora. Founded in 1884 in Thurles by Michael Cusack and others, its stated aim was to promote traditional Irish sports and culture and to standardize rules across the country.

Its core activity is the organization and regulation of Gaelic games, most notably Gaelic football and hurling, with camogie (the women's version of hurling) and other Gaelic games such as Gaelic handball and rounders also supported by affiliated bodies. The GAA runs annual national championships, culminating in the All-Ireland finals, and maintains a calendar of inter-county and club competitions. The most famous matches take place at Croke Park in Dublin, the association's headquarters and national stadium.

Governance is through a network of county boards and provincial councils, led by a Central Council that sets policy and oversees development. The organization operates on an amateur basis; players at club and county level compete without salaries from the GAA, though there are allowances for training costs and expenses. The GAA also has a cultural dimension, supporting the Irish language and music and engaging with communities through clubs abroad, reflecting its role in Irish identity.

Outside Ireland, GAA clubs and competitions exist in Britain, North America, mainland Europe, and other regions, maintaining links to the parent body. The association continues to adapt to modern governance challenges and evolving player welfare while preserving its amateur ethos and traditional games.