GAA: Our Games, Our Language?

As we reflect upon International Day of the World's Indigineous People, we’ll have an interesting discussion surrounding our native games and the role of the Irish language in the game regarding the founding of the association and the cultural revival, the organisation at present and clubs at community level.

Cathaoirleach: Cónall Ó Máirtín

Conall was born and reared in Tyrone. Conall is an experienced television presenter on BBC and TG4. Conall is passionate about sport especially GAA. He played for his club and his county. He is still involved with Gaelic football as a manager. Conall is a law graduate from Queen’s University and he works as a teacher in the Irish Unit in St. Catherine’s College, Armagh and as a lecturer in St. Mary’s University College, Belfast.

Jake Mac Siacais

Jake MacSiacais is a married man with five children. He was born in North Belfast but has spent most of his life in West Belfast. He has been the Director of Forbairt Feirste since 2004, and serves as a voluntary board member on various organisations including, Fáilte Feirste Thiar (West Belfast Tourism Body) and An Cheathrú Ghaeltachta Teo (Gaeltacht Quarter Board). He also served as a  Board member on Foras na Gaeilge (All Ireland Language Body) and is a member of Coláiste Feirste Board of Governors.He is a keen amateur historian.

Tricia Ní Chearra

Tricia completed an Irish degree in University of Ulster, Coleraine (2014) and a Masters in Research (2015) at the Belfast campus. She received a scholarship from AHRC to do a PhD (2015- 2019) on Irish literature and the Utopianism. She is on the teaching staff on University of Ulster part-time and employed full time as Irish language officer with the GAA from September 2018. Within her role, Tricia is responsible for promoting the language at club and council level throughout Ulster. Tricia is also Service Officer on the Irish and Heritage Committee at Ulster Council and Scór Committee. She is also the Ulster Representative on the National Irish language Committee. 

Máirtín Mac Gabhann

Máirtín is a past pupil of both Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh and Coláiste Feirste and has completed both a degree in Irish literature and a PGCE. Máirtín is a committed community and language activist involved in various organisations including a governore with Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, a founding member of Féile na gCloigíní Gorma, member of Dream Dearg and director of son Daithí’s organ donation campaigin #isdeontóirmé. Máirtín currently works as project worker with An tUltach. Máirtín has served as the Chairperson of Laochra Loch Lao since its inception as a standalone club in 2016