A Place to Play: The People and Stories Behind 101 GAA Grounds

Description In every province and county in Ireland, GAA grounds are cornerstones of culture and community. They are imbued with history and their terraces echo with the sounds of decades, even centuries, of spirited sporting battles. In this book, the first of its kind, Humphrey Kelleher has created a vibrant record of 101 GAA county grounds in every corner of the country. Each GAA ground featured has served as a county ground at some stage in its lifetime. Named for saints, landowners, political figures and more, every one has a unique and absorbing history. Alongside these fascinating stories, the author, in collaboration with historian Dónal McAnallen, chronicles the development of the grounds over the years, and the often surprising ways that funds were raised to do so. All thirty-two counties feature, and it doesn’t stop there; the book also takes us to London and to New York, where the grounds reflect the lasting and far-reaching influence of the GAA beyond these borders. With stunning new aerial drone photography by the author, this exceptional book offers an insightful new perspective on the places our GAA clubs and counties call home. Praise for A Place To Play ‘This is a marvellous book, full of brilliant historical nuggets, rich in detail and deep with research. A non-negotiable addition to the bookshelf in any GAA house in the country.’ – Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times ‘A Place to Play captures the essence of the GAA.’ – Irish Examiner  ‘An ideal present.’ – Sunday Independent    About the Author Humphrey Kelleher is a GAA man to the core, with a particular passion for hurling. He managed the Dublin senior hurling team in 2004 and 2005, and has successfully coached a number of Dublin club hurling teams. He represented his native Waterford in hurling and football at various levels, and spent most of his working life in Dublin with the Bank of Ireland. He was co-author of the ‘Dublin Hurling Blueprint’ (2001) and author of GAA Family Silver: The People and Stories Behind 101 Cups and Trophies (2013).   Contents Munster Clare – Ennis – Daly Tulla – Miltown Malbay Cork – Páirc Ui Chaoimh – Páirc Uí Rinn – Fermoy – Mallow Kerry – Killarney – Listowel – Tralee Limerick – Páirc na nGael Limerick – Askeaton – Sean MacGerailt Kilmallock Tipperary – Clonmel – Thurles – McDonagh Nenagh Waterford – Walsh Park Waterford – Fraher Field Dungarvan Leinster Carlow – Bagenalstown – Dr Cullen Park Carlow – Tullow Dublin – Croke Park – Parnell Park – O’Toole Park Kildare – Geraldine Park Athy – Naas – Newbridge Kilkenny – Nowlan Park Kilkenny – St Lachtain’s Freshford – Locke Callan Laois – O’Moore Portlaoise – Fr Breen Abbeyleix – Kelly Daly Rathdowney Longford – Pease Park Longford – Leo Casey Ballymahon Louth – St Mary’s Ardee – St Brigid’s Dowdallshill Dundalk – Drogheda Meath – Páirc Tailteann Navan – Colmcille Kells – St Loman’s Trim – Kilmessan Offaly – Páirc Park Tullamore – St Brendan’s Birr Westmeath – Pairc Chiaran Athlone –Mullingar Wexford – Wexford Park – Enniscorthy – New Ross Wicklow – Arklow –Aughrim –Ashford Connacht Galway – Kenny Athenry – Duggan Ballinasloe – Pearse Stadium Galway – Tuam Leitrim – St Mary’s Cloone – Sean O’Heslin’s Ballinamore – Sean MacDiarmada Carrick-on-Shannon Mayo – Castlebar – O’Hara Charlestown – Stephens Ballina Roscommon – Hyde Park – Athleague – St Brigid’s Kiltoom Sligo – Markievicz Park Sligo – Kilcoyne Tubbercurry – Corran Ballymote Ulster Armagh – Armagh – Davitt Lurgan – Crossmaglen Antrim – Casement Park Belfast – Loughgiel – Corrigan Park Belfast – McQuillan Ballycastle Cavan – Breffni Park Cavan – Cootehill – Kingscourt Derry – Celtic Park Derry – Owenbeg – Ballinascreen – O’Donovan Rossa Magherafelt Donegal – MacCumhaill Ballybofey – O’Donnell Letterkenny – Ballyshannon Down – Newry – Newcastle – Ballycran Fermanagh – Brewster Enniskillen – Lisnaskea – St Molaise Irvinestown Monaghan – Clones – Castleblayney – Emmett Carricmacross – Iniskeen Tyrone – Fr Campbell Coalisland – Healy Omagh – Plunkett Pomeroy – Dungannon International New York – Gaelic Park, Bronx London – McGovern Park Ruislip In every province and county in Ireland, GAA grounds are cornerstones of culture and community. They are imbued with history and their terraces echo with the sounds of decades, even centuries, of spirited sporting battles. In this book, the first of its kind, Humphrey Kelleher has created a vibrant record of 101 GAA county grounds in every corner of the country. Each GAA ground featured has served as a county ground at some stage in its lifetime. Named for saints, landowners, political figures and more, every one has a unique and absorbing history. Alongside these fascinating stories, the author, in collaboration with historian Dónal McAnallen, chronicles the development of the grounds over the years, and the often surprising ways that funds were raised to do so. All thirty-two counties feature, and it doesn’t stop there; the book also takes us to London and to New York, where the grounds reflect the lasting and far-reaching influence of the GAA beyond these borders. With stunning new aerial drone photography by the author, this exceptional book offers an insightful new perspective on the places our GAA clubs and counties call home. Praise for A Place To Play ‘This is a marvellous book, full of brilliant historical nuggets, rich in detail and deep with research. A non-negotiable addition to the bookshelf in any GAA house in the country.’ – Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times ‘A Place to Play captures the essence of the GAA.’ – Irish Examiner  ‘An ideal present.’ – Sunday Independent    About the Author Humphrey Kelleher is a GAA man to the core, with a particular passion for hurling. He managed the Dublin senior hurling team in 2004 and 2005, and has successfully coached a number of Dublin club hurling teams. He represented his native Waterford in hurling and football at various levels, and spent most of his working life in Dublin with the Bank of Ireland. He was co-author of the ‘Dublin Hurling Blueprint’ (2001) and author of GAA Family Silver: The People and Stories Behind 101 Cups and Trophies (2013).   Contents Munster Clare – Ennis – Daly Tulla – Miltown Malbay Cork – Páirc Ui Chaoimh – Páirc Uí Rinn – Fermoy – Mallow Kerry – Killarney – Listowel – Tralee Limerick – Páirc na nGael Limerick – Askeaton – Sean MacGerailt Kilmallock Tipperary – Clonmel – Thurles – McDonagh Nenagh Waterford – Walsh Park Waterford – Fraher Field Dungarvan Leinster Carlow – Bagenalstown – Dr Cullen Park Carlow – Tullow Dublin – Croke Park – Parnell Park – O’Toole Park Kildare – Geraldine Park Athy – Naas – Newbridge Kilkenny – Nowlan Park Kilkenny – St Lachtain’s Freshford – Locke Callan Laois – O’Moore Portlaoise – Fr Breen Abbeyleix – Kelly Daly Rathdowney Longford – Pease Park Longford – Leo Casey Ballymahon Louth – St Mary’s Ardee – St Brigid’s Dowdallshill Dundalk – Drogheda Meath – Páirc Tailteann Navan – Colmcille Kells – St Loman’s Trim – Kilmessan Offaly – Páirc Park Tullamore – St Brendan’s Birr Westmeath – Pairc Chiaran Athlone –Mullingar Wexford – Wexford Park – Enniscorthy – New Ross Wicklow – Arklow –Aughrim –Ashford Connacht Galway – Kenny Athenry – Duggan Ballinasloe – Pearse Stadium Galway – Tuam Leitrim – St Mary’s Cloone – Sean O’Heslin’s Ballinamore – Sean MacDiarmada Carrick-on-Shannon Mayo – Castlebar – O’Hara Charlestown – Stephens Ballina Roscommon – Hyde Park – Athleague – St Brigid’s Kiltoom Sligo – Markievicz Park Sligo – Kilcoyne Tubbercurry – Corran Ballymote Ulster Armagh – Armagh – Davitt Lurgan – Crossmaglen Antrim – Casement Park Belfast – Loughgiel – Corrigan Park Belfast – McQuillan Ballycastle Cavan – Breffni Park Cavan – Cootehill – Kingscourt Derry – Celtic Park Derry – Owenbeg – Ballinascreen – O’Donovan Rossa Magherafelt Donegal – MacCumhaill Ballybofey – O’Donnell Letterkenny – Ballyshannon Down – Newry – Newcastle – Ballycran Fermanagh – Brewster Enniskillen – Lisnaskea – St Molaise Irvinestown Monaghan – Clones – Castleblayney – Emmett Carricmacross – Iniskeen Tyrone – Fr Campbell Coalisland – Healy Omagh – Plunkett Pomeroy – Dungannon International New York – Gaelic Park, Bronx London – McGovern Park Ruislip