A Clare based Christian Brother has claimed that the residence of one of his fellow county men has not got enough credit in its founding of the GAA. Ennis based Br Sean McNamara who has previously written a biography of Clare born GAA founder Micheal Cusack claims that most of the work in founding the GAA was done at Cusack’s Dublin residence and not Hayes Hotel in Thurles as is commonly perceived.
Cusack’s home was at Gardiner Place in North Inner City in Dublin where he also ran a school for civil service entrants. It is now the two-star Dergvale Hotel located close to Croke Park.
Speaking this week Br McNamara (82) who based much of his book on Cusack’s personal writings and diaries said, “I’m convinced that Cusack did all the preparatory work for the GAA from his home in Dublin.”
He added, “therefore the GAA was conceived and born on Gardiner Place but unfortunately this is completely forgotten now. It is a pity that there is nothing to commemorate this momentous event in the now Dergvale Hotel.”
He added, “I believe there should be a museum there or at least a substantial plaque on the exterior wall.”
It is now commonly accepted that the despite preliminary meetings been held elsewhere the GAA was found in the Billiard room in Hayes Hotel in Thurles County Tipperary in 1884 by Micheal Cusack, Maurice Davern and Archbishop Thomas Croke.
The organisation celebrated its 125th anniversary recently with a special mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, which was celebrated by the GAA’s patron Archbishop Dermot Clifford.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: CIN