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19/05/2016

'Ireland's Olympians' at the GAA Museum

The GAA Museum is delighted to introduce its latest exhibition, 'Ireland’s Olympians' which celebrates the nation’s Olympic medalists, with a special emphasis on medal winners from 1924 when Ireland first competed as an independent nation.

The exhibition, which is supported by the Olympic Council of Ireland, features medals and memorabilia from many of Ireland’s 34 Olympic medalists, including the first medal won by Ireland post-independence. This was won by Jack B. Yeats at the 1924 Paris Games and was awarded in the Arts & Literature Category for his painting “The Liffey Swim”. The silver medal is on loan for the duration of exhibition from the National Gallery of Ireland.
Given Ireland’s boxing success at the Olympics, it is no surprise that items from the various boxers dominate the exhibition, including the first boxing medal won by John McNally in Helsinki in 1952 to Michael Carruth’s boxing gold medal won in 1992. The most recent boxing medals from London 2012 are included, most notably the gold medal won by Katie Taylor.

The exhibition also includes Ronnie Delany’s tracksuit top from 1956, John Treacy’s silver medal for the marathon in 1984 and the silver medal won by Cobh’s Sonia O’Sullivan at Sydney 2000. Speaking at the official launch of the exhibition on Monday 16th May 2016 Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “We are delighted, in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Ireland, to unveil this very special exhibition in the GAA Museum."
“The links between the GAA and Athletics – evident in our name – go back a long way and the overlap in those who have competed in our games and a host of Olympic sports, is significant.”

Ireland’s Olympians is open at the GAA Museum, Croke Park and runs until March 31st 2017.

The GAA Museum is open daily throughout the year, including match days when match patrons can enjoy free admission to the museum.

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