New GAA podcast a timely resource for Mayo Leaving Cert students

The GAA: Founding a Movement focuses on the period 1884-1891, and is available as a one-hour video podcast in both Irish and English.

Historians and teachers discuss the social and political backdrop to the establishment of the GAA in 1884, its concentration on athletics and the forces and people who shaped it during those at times difficult and challenging early years of power struggles, in-fighting and asserting itself in Irish life.

The podcast, available as audio or video, is a collaboration between Drumcondra Education Centre with the GAA’s History Committee and GAA Communications, and is a timely resource given that this period is a case study on the Leaving Cert history curriculum for 2026 and 2027. There will also be accompanying resources and workshops to benefit teachers and students.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns, who participates in the podcasts, said: “The GAA was born during a fascinating period in Irish life, amid a maelstrom of cultural, societal and political revolution. We are indebted to the people who took those first steps more than 140 years ago and to those who ensured we weathered several early storms that could easily have sunk the adventure before it had a chance to get going.

“The study of history teaches us about ourselves, about who we are, where we have come from, and about what has been entrusted to us and what we can take from the past to inform our today and equip us to leave a better tomorrow.

“The fact that the study of the GAA’s early years is a part of the Leaving Cert curriculum, in its own way, says much about the preeminent role our association has in Irish life, and I hope that these podcasts will be of benefit to not just secondary school students, but all who enjoy Irish history.”

Frances Moss, director of Drumcondra Education Centre, stated: “I am delighted to welcome this collaboration between Drumcondra Education Centre, several prominent history educators and the GAA through its president, museum and cultural staff. The result is a resource on the early years of the GAA's history which is both informative and user friendly for teachers and students, particularly with the documents-based questions on the Leaving Certificate in mind.

“The accompanying teacher workshops and webinars reinforce the podcast's messages and delve even more deeply into the skills of documents analysis which are so central to historical study.

“The podcast works for a wider audience too, as it is full of insights into the motivation and challenges faced by the GAA's leaders in the early days, and brings a refreshing insight into how the archives and resources held at Croke Park can be major sources of inspiration and information for Irish history enthusiasts, young and not so young.”

Some of the most priceless documents in the GAA’s museum archive in Croke Park feature, and the museum has developed special tours to accompany the podcast and the Leaving Cert module on the GAA. 'Mystery out of History' is the name of this specially dedicated tour. Bookings are through tours@crokepark.ie.

History teachers seeking additional resources on this subject matter can check out Drumcondra Education Centre website for more details and a link to register for a workshop.

The GAA: Founding a Movement was produced by Niamh Boyle and Cian Murphy, and is available now on GAA.ie, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.