International Women’s Day 2025: Maureen O’Higgins

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Ulster GAA speaks to Maureen O’Higgins, Down GAA Chairperson.

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

I am currently the Chairperson of Down GAA and have been involved in the GAA since I joined my club committee at Liatroim Fontenoy’s 40 years ago.

What inspired you to get involved in the GAA? 

I got involved as I had been afforded many enjoyable and rewarding opportunities while playing and coaching in my club and county. I wanted to give something back to the club and my county, and I felt I had the skillset to allow me to get involved and to make a difference.

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

My journey in the GAA has been rewarding, enlightening, challenging and has included me sitting on various roles in my club and county. I chaired my club Liatroim Fontenoy’s from 2001 to 2005 and then progressed to the Down County Board in 2006 and have held various roles since. These roles allowed me to develop my knowledge of the organisation and to give me first-hand experience of how the GAA enriches the lives of the people in the communities that they are involved in.

The experiences learned along the way have developed me as a person and helped me to become more resilient, patient, understanding, and have improved my basic leadership skills. I have encountered some lovely people, made new friendships, had good mentors and these people were all instrumental in me deciding that I wanted to be Chair of Down GAA, as I felt that I had the relevant experience and through my efforts gained the trust of the clubs in Down.

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

Some of my greatest achievements were while I was playing camogie for my Club Liatroim Fontenoys. We won several senior Ulster camogie championships and winning these meant so much to me as I played with a great bunch of girls who trained and worked so hard to improve their skills and to be the best version of themselves, and collectively we were rewarded. These successes meant so much to our club and community. I will never forget the feeling of coming home on the bus knowing that our families and supporters were waiting to welcome us home after playing the great teams of Lavey, Dunloy, Swatragh and Loughguile. All the hard work had paid off and been rewarded!

What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?

I get a lot of satisfaction helping people and clubs develop themselves. My involvement in coaching and administration has afforded me the opportunity to make an impact on the development of players and communities. It is fulfilling when I see that my contribution has made a difference. I enjoy meeting new people and the craic that comes with these encounters, and being involved has improved my self-esteem and taught me new skills. I have so much to be grateful for and I have fond memories of my volunteering experiences.

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

I continue to be motivated to dedicate my time to being a volunteer through my desire to continue to be part of the GAA which I feel is a special organisation. It enriches the lives of so many people in their respective communities through the opportunities it provides. Being a volunteer also provides a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction when seeing results.

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

Moving from one role to another, taking on new responsibilities and adapting to change has been challenging, however the GAA provides support through Officer training and mentoring programmes and the abundance of online resources is very helpful. Having awkward meetings has made me more resilient, and I have learnt too that listening is an important skill. Also, being a woman in a male-dominant organisation on occasions has been daunting and at times I have felt isolated, but creating new friendships has alleviated this uneasiness.

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

I think it is very important for women to get involved. We need the right balance and different perspectives around the table. Women can bring their own special attributes and views and as we move towards integration, and I think we as an organisation need to get more women involved in our decision-making processes. Women are currently under-represented and this needs to change. The Leading Provincial Females Leadership Programme provides an opportunity for women to equip themselves with skills to allow them to get involved the various roles in the GAA.

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

Clubs and counties must have an open-door policy, women must be made welcome and those with particular skills must be identified and encouraged to join sub-committees. Those who have completed the Provincial Female Leadership Skills programme must be afforded the opportunity to consolidate their learning in a club environment. Consideration must also be given to allowing women to balance family life alongside with volunteering in the club.

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

I would advise those women who want to get involved in the GAA to be proactive and contact their local GAA club. Inform them of the area you would like to be involved in and how your contribution will help to develop the club. I would also advise them of the support that is available through the various Officer training programmes and that it will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. It will be an opportunity to develop yourself as a person and to be part of a team.

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

Being a female volunteer has shaped my personal growth and perspective through the experience I have gained, the relationships I have made and the challenges I have overcome. Valuable lessons have been learnt from challenging situations, allowing me to be more resilient and understanding. I have gained a great deal of experience and knowledge from the various positions I have held, and I get great satisfaction from sharing this knowledge with my fellow county and club officers. These experiences have also helped me to grow in confidence as I proceed along my GAA journey.

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

For me, being part of the GAA is being part of something special because of the benefits that it provides to the community where it is deeply rooted. It has provided me with fond memories and assisted in my personal development through the various opportunities provided while playing and coaching camogie, and in all my administrative roles. My club and county have helped to enrich so many lives through self-development and well-being, and both have strived to assist members to achieve their full potential in their chosen roles.