Northern Ireland academic, author and former Antrim footballer, Paul Darby who is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sports Studies at the University of Ulster in Belfast, has written a brilliantly researched work and insightful account of the history of Gaelic Games in America entitled, “Gaelic Games, Nationalism and the Irish Diaspora in the United States”. By detailing the importance of Gaelic Games for Irish emigrants, the work fills an enormous void in the historical documentation of emigrant life in the US and is required reading for every GAA enthusiast in America. GaelicSportsCast spoke to Mr Darby about his new book in this first of a two part episode.
[…] The rest is here: #30 – Brilliant new book a tour de force on Gaelic sports in … […]
I am pleased to hear this interview about Gaelic Games in the United States with Paul Darby and yerself, Denis. There is no doubt that the border that separates the United States and Canada saw a number of crossings by GAA members to play our games iin both codes. As Canada was a part of the North American County Board up until 1987 – there were a number of border matches and Canadian successes in the United States. More can be learned in a reading of The History of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Canada http://www.trafford.com that was self-published in 2008 with the support of the Canadian County Board.
Glad you found Part 1 interesting and will do an interview on your work as well.
A very interesting interview. I actually went to school with Paul and played Gaelic Football with him there. However I went down the road of playing Hurling, and like Paul I went on to play County Hurling at underage and Senior Level. I also got involved with the GAA in the United States, playing Hurling in New York during 1994. It is a book that I would be very interested in buying, and I would say from what I have heard, and read thus far, that it is a book that holds interest for anyone interested not only in the games, but also the influence that the GAA has on keeping the Irish identity alive amongst Irish immigrants.
Thanks Eamon. Your last two lines are apt. His work is the essentail history of Gaelic Games in the US.