I Went Hurling And Played Gaelic Football At 55 — Here’s Why I Loved It

by Nov 30, 2022Fun Things To Do, Sport

I Went Hurling And Played Gaelic Football At 55 — Here’s Why I Loved It

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Travel Awaits | November 30, 2022

https://www.travelawaits.com/2835824/i-went-hurling-and-played-gaelic-football-at-55/

Gail in hurling gear

The most popular sports in Ireland are rugby, football (soccer), Gaelic football (called “Gaa” by the Irish, they tell me), and hurling. In July, I was fortunate to be in Dublin when the finals for both hurling and Gaa took place. While there is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) experience to learn about these Gaelic Games near Glasnevin, I lucked out when I researched it. They had an abbreviated class, Warrior Ways, right on Trinity’s campus a block from our home. Sign me up!

Warrior Ways sign at the Pavilion Playing Field
Warrior Ways sign at the Pavilion Playing Field

We live a block from the Trinity College Dublin campus, so when given the option of taking the bus or taxi over to Glasnevin or walking over to TCD, I chose the site near me. I signed up online to reserve my spot.

That part of campus — with the playing field and Pavilion — always seems rather posh and exclusive. It was good to walk out there and feel as though I actually belonged, kitted out though I was for a workout.

Hurling stick and sliotar
Hurling stick and sliotar

How I Approached The Trip

My primary goal for this event was to learn more about sports important to my Irish heritage. Nothing in any other nation compares with the depth and width of the GAA’s integration into the life of its people. A map of the 2,000+ GAA clubs closely follows the Irish map. Local people of all ages play the national sports that continue to promote the culture. According to Cormac O’Donnchú, one of the class’s leaders, the GAA has developed into the largest social organization in Western Europe.

For the day, I stretched before I went and wore comfortable clothing and good running shoes. Despite being an athlete pre-injury, I haven’t run since my 10 years in a wheelchair, so was curious about how this would work.

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