Brianne: County Pride

“In 1924 Naas drew with Caragh in a seven a side match in connection with the carnival in Naas, Co. Kildare. The medals sat in the carnival secretary’s drawer until he noticed that the match was not replayed.

The replay took place in 1959, 35 years after the original game, between teams made up of the sons of those who had played in the original match.”

This quote is from inside the GAA Museum. It was one of the blue and white illuminated panels that ran throughout the museum’s entirety. This really helps to explain not only the importance of Gaelic football to Irish culture, but also the significance of family ties. Thirty-Five years could not erase the fact that a game needed to be played. The fact that all of the original players had sons and that they all played football really shows what an integral part football is to their way of life. It also shows that there is a high level of respect between father and son. The sons understood how important the replaying of the game was to their fathers. Whether or not the sons were forced into it or not remains to be seen, but my guess is that they were happy to replay the game.
I have gathered from my short stay here in Ireland that the county in which you are born is a very defining feature for an Irish person. Not the town name, but the county is the answer when asked where your loyalty resides. This is how football and hurling teams are organized so this county alliance is prominent at matches. I saw this first hand at the Wexford vs. Kilkenny match last Sunday. I’d say 90% of the people there were wearing the colors, if not a jersey, of one of the teams. Again, another example of strong county ties. It is refreshing to see this sense of belonging that the people of Ireland possess. Sometimes I feel lost in America, not feeling allegiance to any place in particular. Maybe it’s the fact that I have grandparents in Florida and cousins in Georgia and Texas that I rarely see that makes me feel this sense of detachment. Either way it makes me happy to be in a land where family ties are so strong.