Description

The founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1884 was a monumental cultural turning point that forever redefined modern Irish identity. In this masterly biography, acclaimed historian Séamus Ó Riain delivers a thorough, highly accurate chronicle of Maurice Davin, the legendary athlete and co-founder who served as the association’s first president.

Ó Riain looks deeply past standard sports folklore to evaluate the practical functional operations, rule-drafting sessions, and political balancing acts required to launch the GAA. The text systematically charts Davin’s early achievements as an international champion oarsman and athlete, alongside his dedicated work to codify traditional Irish sports while uniting a divided athletic landscape. Bound in a premium hardback casing, this volume stands out as an irreplaceable reference centerpiece for sports historians, GAA club archives, and local heritage collections.