International Women’s Day 2025: Mary Coughlan

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Ulster GAA speaks to Mary Coughlan, Donegal GAA Chairperson.

What is your role and how long and how long have you been involved in the GAA?  

I am the Chairperson of Donegal GAA and was previously the secretary of my own club of St. Naul’s. I have been involved with the GAA for as long as I can remember.

What inspired you to get involved in the GAA? 

In my previous career as a public representative I didn’t have as much time to be as involved as I would have liked, but now I have a greater opportunity to give back.

Can you describe your journey in the GAA and what led you to this position?

I was previously the secretary of my local club St. Naul’s. My own daughter, son, brothers and sister were involved with the GAA as players which inspires you to be involved and my club have always been very supportive of me. I also really enjoy it.

What is your greatest achievement/highlight of being involved in the GAA either as a player/supporter or a volunteer?

My greatest highlight in all my time of having been involved with the GAA has to have been St. Naul’s winning the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta. This was a special day and those were great memories to have.

What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?

My role has changed immensely from club to county. I enjoy working with the county committee with the aim of driving onwards. You get to see things from everyone’s point of view.

What keeps you motivated to continue to dedicate your time as a volunteer?

Success on the field is what drives us on at all levels, with that ultimately being the goal that you want people to achieve. Five women currently work on our executive which is very encouraging, including the chair, secretary and treasurer, who are all women.

Have you encountered any challenges or obstacles, if so, what were they and how did you overcome them?

I didn’t necessarily encounter many challenges or obstacles in recent times as clubs requested that I would go forward as chairperson. However, there was probably a challenge in the fact that I hadn’t been involved in the county committee or county executive before. I spent some time trying to immerse myself in a range of activities and events from local to Ulster to Nationally, to receive advice and soundings from people. From an Ulster GAA point of view, I have found Ulster President Michael Geoghegan and previously Ciaran McLaughlin to be very encouraging and helpful.

Do you think it is important for women to get involved in the GAA? 

Fifty per cent of the population are women. Many are supporters and are heavily involved in other ways. They do very important roles from administration to decision-making, for which many women will have a particular talent. Women really do have a ‘can-do’ attitude and cut through things that aren’t relevant. They are central to key decisions and actions and are often mothers who support and encourage their children.

How do you think clubs and counties can best accommodate female volunteers?

I personally haven’t seen a situation where women are discouraged from being involved. In my own club for example, it’s a very positive environment for women. I have seen a general change in attitude over the past 30 or 40 years. People used to think that a chairperson held “power” whereas now they hold “work”. There are more women on county committees now representing their clubs. There is a role for everyone in the GAA, including women, even without inside knowledge if you don’t have it just yet.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in volunteering or getting involved in the GAA?

Being involved with the GAA is a pastime. It’s an opportunity to meet people in a new community and get to know families. Particularly in rural communities, clubs are very proactive in supporting people. There’s great craic and a great social aspect to being involved.

Has being a female volunteer in the GAA shaped your own personal growth or perspective?

I see a lot of similarities to my current role as chairperson and in my time spent as a public representative. It involves attending functions and events, meeting people. It shapes how you look at things and you can see different families’ perspectives. It keeps you on your toes.

What does the GAA mean to you? What is special about your club/ community / County?   

I wouldn’t be involved if I didn’t love it. I have great ambitions for the people of Donegal and our young people. Some people may wonder what a person is doing in spending 50+ hours per week doing a role but there is a great end goal in the satisfaction that it brings. The GAA is a part of the value system that is embedded within Irish society and Donegal society. I do also acknowledge that there are challenges up ahead in terms of competing with other sports, changing demographics and the fact that mobile phones can dictate people’s lives. We have to balance being both modern and the athletic development of our young people.