TV Series - GAA @ 125 Bliain

[RedandGreenSniper]

This sounds like a serious piece of work. Detailed episode previews below

GAA @ 125 Bliain
Launch of a major new television history series

As a major contribution to the GAA's 125th Birthday in 2009, TG4 today launched its major new 10 part television documentary series chronicling the social and cultural history of the Association.

The series, launched by GAA President, Nickey Brennan, at the GAA Museum in Croke Park Dublin, traces the consistent growth and sometimes turbulent story of the Association from the inaugural meeting in Hayes Hotel in Thurles to today's vibrant and self-confident organization with hundreds of thousands of players and members in Ireland and overseas and proud owner of one of Europe's best sports stadia.

Drawing extensively on newsreel, film and television archive and informed by insightful contributions from leading historians, journalists, players, administrators and commentators, this is the story of a uniquely Irish entity – a combination of cultural movement, sporting organization and mirror of Irish society for a century and a quarter that has survived and flourished through war, peace, emigration, insecurity, political violence and economic boom.

From the Beara peninsula in West Cork to Casement Park in Belfast, from the sandy playing field on the Aran Islands to the multi-cultural primary school teams of the new Dublin suburbs, the series offers a fresh perspective on the GAA through the ages, reflecting on what it meant not just to public leaders and opinion-formers but to the ordinary playing members and supporters and to its critics also. The series shows the enormous influence of the GAA over wider society and it's often unthanked role in promoting pride of place, social cohesion and in providing a sporting outlet and facilities in communities, whether affluent or deprived.

Each programme takes a period of 20-25 years places the development of the GAA within the broader social and historical context of the time. Contributors include Dr Diarmaid Ferriter, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Mickey Harte, Brendan Fullam, Mick O'Dwyer, Maurice Hayes, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Canon Tom Looney, Liam Griffin, Marcus de Búrca, Professor John A Murphy, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD and top GAA officials Nickey Brennan, Uachtarán, Christy Cooney, Uachtarán tofa and Páraic Duffy, Ard-Stiúrthóir.

The series will air on TG4 on late Sunday afternoons from mid January (with a repeat showing of each programme on Friday nights).  It has been commissioned by TG4 from Nemeton, an independent production company based in Ring in the Waterford Gaeltacht, the channel's primary provider of sports output. In addition to the TG4 funding, the series has also received support from the BCI Sound & Vision Fund and the European Media Fund and was one of the largest scale television documentary projects produced in Ireland in 2008.


GAA@125 Bliain
As the GAA commemorates its 125th Birthday in 2009, this is a major new 10 part television documentary series from TG4 chronicling the social and cultural history of the Association. Drawing extensively on newsreel, film and television archive and informed by insightful contributions from leading historians, journalists, players and administrators  and commentators, this is  the story of a uniquely  Irish entity – a combination of cultural movement, sporting organization and mirror of Irish society for a century and a quarter which saw war, peace, emigration, insecurity, political violence and economic boom.

Programme  1  "Like a Prairie Fire"               

The complex political and social context of Ireland in the 1880s. Every recent attempt at establishing an Irish-based sports organization had ended in failure.  In establishing his Association in 1884 with its emphasis on Irish identity and resisting the spread of sports of British origin,   Michael Cusack was aware that it would be controversial.  Nonetheless, the organization spread, in its founder's memorable phrase, "like a prairie fire" across the country.
In 1887, new GAA decided to organise annual All-Ireland championships.  Thurles, representing Tipperary, beat Meelick from Galway in the first hurling final.  In football, Commercials from Limerick defeated Dundalk of Louth.   But after this initial success, the Championships fell into a period of decline and between 1890 and 1894; four championships were not concluded as a result of rough play or pitch invasions. But the Championships soon got into their stride and would soon become a major institution.  The GAA faced into the new twentieth century with confidence but slightly battered.  It could not have known that it was facing into a time of crisis as the country would be torn apart by rebellion, divided loyalties, civil war and the subsequent recriminations. Participants include Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Seán Kelly, Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, Mickey Harte, Brendan Fullam, Prof Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Marcus de Búrca and Prof John A Murphy.
TG4  3.45pm  Sunday 11 January 2009   
Repeat 9pm Friday 16 January 2009


Programme 2   "Conflict and Consolidation"
The first quarter of the twentieth century was a very turbulent and often tragic period of Irish history.  The GAA went about its business as best it could against the dramatic backdrop of the political events that would shape the new Ireland.
In hurling, Kilkenny, a county previously noted for its football prowess, began to assert itself as a major force.  The Association did not own or have access to any established playing pitches or stadia and often held its matches of farmland or commonage.  Frank Dineen bought a pitch on Jones' Road on the north edge of Dublin city and leased it to the GAA until he sold it outright to the GAA in 1913.   It was now named Croke Park. This programme contains a real gem - the oldest extant film footage of a Gaelic match being played in Croke Park.
In the run- up to the Easter Rising and in the War of Independence that followed it, the GAA was regarded with major suspicion, if not downright hostility, by the British establishment.   Six of the executed 1916 leaders were members of the Association.   
The deadly deeds of Bloody Sunday, 21 November 1920, were perhaps the episode that assured GAA of its unique place in the hearts of Irish nationalists.    14 civilians were killed, including one player, Michael Hogan,   when British forces entered Croke Park and took revenge for that morning's deadly attacks in Dublin by IRA hit-squads.   
While the end of British rule in most of Ireland was coming to an end, a bloody and vicious Civil War followed and the GAA succeeded in offering a neutral space that provided the possibility of reconciliation through sport. This was a huge achievement considering the deep divisions left in many other organisations by the suffering and cruelty of Civil War. At the foundation of the State, the GAA was poised to play a central role. Participants include Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Tim Carey, Seán Ó Ceallaigh, Dr Seán Mac an Chrosáin, Canon Tom Looney, Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, Dr Elaine Sisson, Gabriel Fitzmaurice  and Professor John A Murphy.

TG4  3.45pm  Sunday 18 January 2009   
                      Repeat 9pm Friday 23 January 2009


Programme 3   "From the Ashes of War"
The Free State had been established and henceforth the GAA would be in a position to concentrate on sporting matters and on the promotion of Gaelic games – even if politics were bound to intrude on a number of high-profile issues in the coming decades...   
37,000 spectators attended the drawn 1926 All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Kildare.  One of the Kingdom's players died in the weeks before the replay and this left a pall over Kerry's victory in the second match.  Over 40,000 attended the 1929 final between the same counties, the largest attendance ever to date at a sporting event in Ireland.   
In hurling Kilkenny continued to dominate although being defeated by Cork in the 1931 final, having lost their star player, Lory Meagher.   
Such was the status of Gaelic games that De Valera's new nationalist newspaper set its launch date to coincide with the All Ireland Final of 1931. The initial edition's faux-pas of referring to the "kick off" when giving the time of the start of the final did not deter GAA followers.  The new paper was quickly established it as the GAA follower's favourite for its prominent reporting of hurling and football.
The "Ban" rule was to cause further controversy and the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, a Patron of the Association, drew the wrath of the GAA authorities when he attended an international soccer match in 1938.  His status as Patron was suspended by the GAA and this led to much public commentary and resulted in Taoiseach Éamon de Valera urging the GAA to relent this ruling on Ireland's First Citizen.
Participants include:  Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, Mick O'Dwyer, Bernie O'Sullivan, Mike Cronin and Brendan Fullam. 

TG4  3.45pm  Sunday 25 January   2009   
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 30 January  2009


Programme 4   "To Stay or to Go"
In one sense, the Emergency (known outside Ireland as World War II) was a boon for the GAA.  In an Ireland isolated by neutrality and living in fear of invasion by either or both of the belligerents, the GAA gave communities hope and pride. Money and food were scare and sport provided one of the few low-cost opportunities for entertainment and relaxation.  The GAA provided a diversion in an inward-looking and uncertain Ireland.   
An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease prevented Kilkenny and Tipperary taking part in the 1941 Championships.  And in 1946 when conditions made it likely that many crops would be lost, the All-Ireland Final was postponed for a few weeks to allow farmers (and players) to reap and harvest. The 1947 All-Ireland Football Final was played in New York to commemorate the centenary of the Famine and Cavan's victory over Kerry was historic in many ways and stayed long in the memory, as did Micheál O'Hehir's radio commentary from the Polo Grounds. Emigration was rife, not least in the west of Ireland where the population of Mayo was reduced by a third between 1926 and 1961.  Despite this depletion, Mayo won the All-Ireland Football Championships in 1950 agus 1951.  Despite this revival by Mayo, no one county achieved football dominance during this period. In hurling a new star rose to prominence in Cork and Christy Ring's reputation grew and brightened.  One of his early team-mates, Jack Lynch was a dual star and would achieve greatness in another sphere too.
Their exploits and those of Nickey Rackard of Wexford attracted thousands to Croke Park, a stadium whose facilities were greatly enhanced by the addition of new stands at this time. Participants include:   Liam Griffin, Brendan Fullam, Maurice Hayes and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday   1 February   2009
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 6 February  2009


PROGRAMME 5  "Crossing the Border"
After the isolationism of the Emergency and afterwards, by the 1960's people the South were beginning to embrace a new self confidence. Industrialisation and modern farming methods were promoted and the major cities and towns began to sprout suburbs. In Northern Ireland, there was little change.  The authorities' residual scepticism about the GAA and its motives were mostly manifested by inaction rather than hostility.  It was tolerated but not given any avoidable prominence.
The victorious and pioneering Down football team of the early 1960s had its gestation in a Queen's University side of 1958.  The approach to training and tactics were very modern as was the introduction of an expert from outside, in this case the far-sighted Peter McDermott of Meath. As the urbanisation continued in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, the GAA faced another challenge in organising in these new areas and competing very closely with soccer and other sports for their young players.  The advent of the new television station provided a new platform for the Association and soon the televising of the Summer's top Gaelic games was attracting high audience ratings.
An exciting young team from Galway won an unprecedented Three in a Row in football 1964-66.  Much of that team had come from the hailed nursery of St Jarlath's in Tuam but soon the introduction of free post-primary education in 1968 would alter the landscape of Gaelic games in that sector.
But this new progressive era was not without its controversies and yet again the "Ban" came to prominence, particularly after one daily newspaper published a picture of one of the country's most famous footballers, Mick O'Connell of Kerry, attending a game in another code.
Participants include: Peter Quinn, Eugene McGee, Mickey Harte, Joe Brolly and  Gregory Campbell MLA.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday 8 February 2009
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 13 February 2009

[RedandGreenSniper]

Programme 6   "Renewed Rivalries"
Membership of the Common Market in 1973 was a clear statement of Ireland's intent to be a modern society but the GAA's image was still hamstrung by the "Ban" and the ending of this rule marked a new departure for democracy. But democracy was still a very live issue in Northern Ireland and the GAA often found itself at the centre of controversy during the Troubles which broke out at the end of the 1960s and were to continue for over twenty five years.  In July 1972, Frank Corr a prominent referee, hurling selector and GAA activist became the first of over forty GAA members to be killed in the Troubles.
The British Army took possession of Casement Park in Belfast in 1970 as happened to other GAA pitches also but it was the Army's occupation of part of the Crossmaglen Rangers playing field that was to be the most publicised and provocative and quickly became a rallying point for GAA followers well beyond Northern Ireland. In 1971, Fr Tommy Maher an astute priest and teacher in St Kieran's College in Kilkenny took over that county's hurling team and began to mould a team that would first challenge and then overtake the supremacy of Cork and Tipperary.  Key to the success of his strategy was Eddie Keher, sharpshooter supreme.  The men from Cork were not that easily vanquished, however and they won Three in a Row 1976-78 with excellent and clinical scoring by their young dual star Jimmy Barry-Murphy very prominent in their success. In football, two marvelous teams from Dublin and Kerry took over the stage, managed respectively by those masters of wile and guile, Kevin Heffernan and Mick O'Dwyer.  We were in for some great days.
Participants include Mickey Harte, Tom Woulfe, Eddie Keher, Mick O'Dwyer and Seán Boylan.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday 15 February   2009   
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 20 February 2009


Programme 7    "Hunger and Loss"
The hunger strikes of the early 1980s had thrust the GAA into political turmoil.  In spite of its best efforts, the Association found itself embroiled in the most turbulent political storm since the Civil War. On the playing fields, the dominance of Kerry's footballers continued and the team that is widely regarded as the best ever in the history of the game came tantalisingly close to five-in-row immortality, only to be thwarted by a last minute controversial goal by Offaly's Séamas Darby.
In hurling, Galway's win in 1980, after 57 years in the wilderness gave much-needed hope to other weaker counties and heralded an era where the dominance of the big three was to be weakened, for a while at least. Another outstanding feature of the Galway win was the sheer joy and passion of their captain's victory speech.  Joe Connolly's glorious Irish echoed around the globe and reminded both those present and the thousands of Irish emigrants watching and listening that the language was alive and well. Emigration was rife. An entire football team from Mayo found it possible to re-assemble and play in New York because that was where its players were now living. At GAA Headquarters, some visionary thinking came to the conclusion that Croke Park needed to be redeveloped to bring it up to the highest international standards and to make it a jewel of which all Irish people could be proud.
Contributors include Liam Mulvihill, Mickey Harte, Peter Quinn, Eugene McGee and Seán Boylan.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday   22 February   2009   
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 27 February  2009


Programme 8   "Out with the old and in with the new"
As the Celtic Tiger grew in strength and confidence, the GAA was presented with new opportunities and challenges.  People had more disposable income but this also extended their choices of sports and leisure activities. Cork achieved a rare feat in winning the double – victories in both the senior hurling and football championships in 1990 with a unique distinction for Teddy McCarthy - a player on both triumphant teams. Clare, Wexford and Offaly also got their names on the Liam McCarthy Cup during this decade as they came to the fore to challenge the hurling dominance of Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny. In football, the Ulster came to dominate with various counties from that province winning four successive All-Irelands.  But the Troubles still cast a long shadow and the killing of GAA activists like Derry's Seán Browne, Chairman of the Wolfe Tone in Bellaghy, and the British Army's ongoing occupation of various GAA ground's, particularly in Crossmaglen caused much sorrow and controversy.  The Crossmaglen footballers seemed to draw some inspiration from their difficulties as the team won the All-Ireland club championship twice during this period: in 1997 and again in 1999, the year in which the British Army finally withdrew from its grounds. Construction work began on the redevelopment of Croke Park and commentators were surprised that the playing of major games at the venue could continue while this massive undertaking was being carried out.
Contributors include Liam Griffin, Brendan Fullam, Tomás Ó Flatharta and Seán Boylan.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday   1 March   2009   
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 6 March  2009


Programme  9   "Opening Doors"
The shining new Croke Park was completed as the Irish economy boomed to unprecedented levels. In Northern Ireland, the Peace Process was bringing an end to the troubles that had blighted the region for over a generation. Public and media discussion on the GAA began to focus more on questions of funding rather than on the games themselves during this period. It may have been a coincidence but the new era of peace in the North seemed to herald a major renaissance of Ulster football too.  Armagh and Tyrone each won All-Irelands and their mutual rivalry added greatly to the intensity and passion of their matches.   The new "backdoor" system in football now meant that counties from the same province could meet in the culminating stages of the football championships.. 
The sudden death of  Tyrone's star player and newly appointed captain, Cormac McAnallen, a young man in his prime, shocked the Association to its very roots.  His very large and dignified funeral again illustrated the unique status and close bond that the GAA has forged with its members and with the Irish people.
Croke Park was now one of Europe's finest sports stadia and this led to an internal and external debate about the appropriateness of using it for non-Gaelic sports.  After much discussion, that question was resolved and the highly-successful opening games in international rugby and soccer at Croke Park were applauded. The question of funding for inter-county players' expenses and of compensating their costs also became a hotly-debated topic.  The new Gaelic Players' Association felt that the top stars' commitment and contribution to the Association had been overlooked.  While asserting that it was not questioning or seeking any change to their amateur status, a core value  that underpins the GAA, the GPA campaigned vigorously to ensure that is members did not lose out financially for their time and commitment to Gaelic games.In hurling, a new generation of Kilkenny stars achieved the much-sought after Three in a Row 2006-8, under their wily manager, Brian Cody.
Contributors include: Peter Quinn, Seán Kelly, Mickey Harte, Christy Cooney and Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday   8 March   2009   
Repeat 9.15pm Friday 13 March 2009


Programme  10  "The Future"
Over the last 125 years the GAA has not only contributed to the social, cultural and sporting life of the country but has succeeded in becoming the biggest and most successful amateur organisation in the world. Ironically, maintaining this very amateur status will prove one of its biggest challenges in the years ahead. The GAA, which has survived wars and economic depressions, has now to lead its people through an ever demanding 21st Century and attempt grow the organisation even stronger than before. Contributors: Nickey Brennan, Páraic Duffy, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Mickey Harte, Professor Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, and incoming GAA President Christy Cooney.
TG4  5.40pm  Sunday 15 March 2009
repeat 9.15pm Friday 20 March 2009

[RedandGreenSniper]

Just after noticing that Gregory Campbell is one of the people who is going to speak, interesting . . .

[thejuice]

Will be interesting. Must "feach ar sín"

There'll be a Late Late Show GAA special on Friday night as well.

[Dougal Maguire]

Just after noticing that Gregory Campbell is one of the people who is going to speak, interesting . . .

I hope he's sub titled otherwise you non Ulster folk might have difficulty understanding him as he speaks Irish with a strong Donegal accent

[The GAA]

Surely he'll be speaking in his native tongue of Ulster Scots?

now that would be some laugh

[Donagh]

Programme 3 tonight was very interesting. TG4 deserve a lot of credit for giving the best programming out of any channel on the box this past couple of years. Long may it continue...

[Jinxy]

Very well put together show.
Although when Micko came on the screen I groaned.
I like hearing the historians perspective.

[Donagh]

Very well put together show.
Although when Micko came on the screen I groaned.
I like hearing the historians perspective.

Aye, I was the same. In fairness though I 'seen' that footage before from one of their programmes about Micheál Ó Hehir. Some of the Tailten Games stuff was from a previous progamme as well but it was well put together - missed the first two but will be looking at the rest now without doubt.

[Zulu]

Brilliant show and is must see TV if you have any interest in the GAA or Irish sport and history generally. In fairness both TG4 and the Irish papers are doing a fine job of eradicating the painful memories of the LLS.

[5 Sams]

Clar agus bealach den chead scoth...

[RedandGreenSniper]

TG4 are leaving nothing to chance, very well researched and thought out series.

I had Gearoid O Tuathaigh as a history lecturer in NUI Galway, the guy is a genius.

Getting so much detail and insight into an era before any of the commentators were born is serious going. Get them coming TG4!

[donelli]

Have sky + the lot of them at the moment. havent watched any yet..
hope to burn them on dvd at the end so i can have a quiet sunday sometime watching them all through

[Redhandfan]

I got to see this programme for the first time last night....having recorded the first two episodes.  It made for great viewing and I am really looking forward to seeing the remainder of this series.  The producers have got it just about right in regards to their format and presentation.  Excellent stuff and typical of the high quality programmes/documentaries constantly churned out by the number one station on TV at this time.

I have said it before and I will say it again.....thank God for TG4.

[sam03/05]

This really is a superb programme. I wonder if this will ever be released on DVD, it would be well worth the money
brilliant stuff