Crowds gather for Lá na gClub

Over 140,000 GAA members across Ulster celebrated Lá na gClub at their local GAA clubs on Sunday 10th May as part of the GAA 125th Anniversary Celebrations.

The Ulster Council’s 125 celebrations have been firmly focused on the Clubs and Volunteers and the Council provided each of Ulster’s 580 clubs with a special 125 pack which included guidance on Lá na gClub and special GAA 125 Flag which was flown at all clubs on Sunday.

President of Ulster GAA Tom Daly was delighted with the response of the Ulster Clubs, he said, “I spent the day at my own club Aodh Ruadh CLG Ballyshannon and was honoured to raise the 125 flag at our new clubs grounds which will be officially opened on the 29th May as part of the Club Centenary Celebrations. My club had over 400 people proudly celebrating their membership of the GAA and I am delighted and overwhelmed that this was replicated across Ulster where our clubs where well informed and well equipped to celebrate Lá na gClub.  I am very thankful to the club volunteers who continue to do sterling work in their Clubs which are the most important unit of the GAA. I would also recognise the members of Ulster GAA 125 Committee who have done outstanding work since August 2008 in organising the Ulster 125 Calendar of events.”

The Ulster Council launched a programme of 125 events in February including the very successful GAA 125 History Conference organised in Partnership with the O’Fiach Library in Armagh, which included keynote speeches from President Mary McAleese, Cardinal Seán Brady, former GAA President Peter Quinn, Tyrone Manager Mickey Harte and former Down County Secretary Dr. Maurce Hayes.  As well as promoting a special 125 Ulster Championship the Council have organised series of events for the rest of 2009 which can been viewed on the Ulster Council web-site www.ulster.gaa.ie

GAA members are encouraged to log on to the GAA 125 Ulster “micro-site” ulster.gaa.ie/community/125/. Clubs officials are also encouraged to submit reports, photos and video clips of their Lá na gClub which will included in the Ulster GAA 125 site and the Ulster GAA 125 publication due for release in December.

Pictured are members of All Saints GAC, Ballymenawho celebrated Lá na gClub.