NATIONAL NEWS

08/02/2010

McAleese Honours GAA Author

A leading academic who is credited with writing the definitive history of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has been honoured by the Irish President.

Dr David Hassan, from the University of Ulster's Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute (SESRI), was the guest of President Mary McAleese at her home Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin today.

President McAleese hosted the reception in honour of the work of Dr Hassan, alongside that of Roddy Hegarty and Dónal McAnallen from the Cardinal O Fiaich Library and Archive in Armagh, following the recent publication of The Evolution of the GAA, which charts the history and contribution of the association to Irish life over the past 125 years and earlier.

The book, which has proved to be extremely popular with Irish people at home and abroad, has since received critical acclaim.

Dr Hassan was joined by leading GAA officials from Ulster at the reception, which is considered a very positive endorsement of sports-related research at Ulster.

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -

Dr Hassan said: "It was a huge surprise but a great honour to be invited to Áras an Uachtaráin and be received by the President and an unexpected recognition of the work involved in bringing the book to fruition."

The book also included a contribution from Dr Paul Darby, a fellow member of SESRI and the University's School of Sports Studies.

Dr Hassan spoke at the reception at the President's Official Residence in the Phoenix Park and paid tribute to those academics that had charted the social and

historical significance of the GAA at home and abroad and acknowledged the

tremendous support offered by the University of Ulster in permitting him

the necessary time to undertake this work.

It is expected The Evolution of the GAA will shortly be published in paperback following the success of the hardback version while Dr Hassan has been invited to a ceremony to take place shortly in honour of the only founding member of the GAA from the province of Ulster, County Down's John McKay.

Meanwhile, the NI architect behind the new Croke Park design is to enjoy local honours.

Des McMahon is to be officially recognised this month as a special GAA function when club and county players and top GAA officials will gather to mark the architect's contribution to the Dublin venue's rebirth.

The Beragh-born professional will be honoured at Kelly's Inn, Garvaghery, on February 12th with the new Tyrone county Chairman, Ciaran McLaughlin joining Ulster GAA Director, Danny Murphy and Omagh District Council Chairman Paddy McGowan.

The event will acknowledge the architect's design role as well as his own distinguished playing career.

See: Croke Architect To Be Honoured

(BMcC/GK)
Bookmark and Share

Top Stories
09/09/2010
Arrests Over Dublin Taxi Assault
09/09/2010
Gardaí Probe Border Arms Dump
09/09/2010
Economy Faltering, Says Report
09/09/2010
Driver Picked Up Strabane Bomb
09/09/2010
Employment 'In The Bottle'
09/09/2010
Irish US Navy Hero Remembered
09/09/2010
McGuinness Met 'Claudy Bombing Priest'
09/09/2010
Other News In Brief
08/09/2010
Tiger Robbery Suspects 'Still Held'
08/09/2010
Callely To Seek Damages In Court
Submit News Story
Editorial Staff
Merchant Plans Music School
M9 Opens Final Link
Rural Planning Policy Guide Published
SmartGlass Shines On ITV Daybreak
Graham 'High Flying' At City Airport
Sewers Completed In Belvoir
Tyrone Wastewater Works Completed
New £15.6m Hospital Unit Opens
Robinson And McGuinness Open £93m Coca-Cola Plant
UCATT Calls For Urgent Rethink Of How Councils Are Delivered
Regeneration Masterplan For Strabane Launched
Report Shows A Drop In Injuries At Work

Arrests Over Dublin Taxi Assault
Gardaí Probe Border Arms Dump
Economy Faltering, Says Report
Driver Picked Up Strabane Bomb
Employment 'In The Bottle'
Irish US Navy Hero Remembered
McGuinness Met 'Claudy Bombing Priest'
Tiger Robbery Suspects 'Still Held'
Callely To Seek Damages In Court
Lenihan To Brief Cabinet On Anglo
Homes Evacuated in Antrim Security Alert
Billy Wright Inquiry Completed
UCL And Trinity Slip In World Rankings
Other News In Brief
Irish Construction : (www.build.ie) | Scots Construction (www.buildscotland.co.uk) | UK Construction (www.build.co.uk)
Site Map | SelfBuild | Webmaster Resources | Log In
UK Construction Jobs | Scots Construction Jobs | Irish Construction Jobs | UK Construction News Archive | Irish Construction News Archive
UK Construction News RSS Feed | Scottish Construction News RSS Feed | Irish Construction News RSS Feed | Irish National News RSS Feed
Flagship Media Group Ltd
48-50 York Street, Belfast,
BT15 1AS, Northern Ireland
Tel (+44) 28 9031 9008
Contact : Click here

keycons003 / keycons003x37 10/09/2010 10:39:49 / A4 / B2 / 0.0625, 38.107.191.81

McAleese Honours GAA Author - A leading academic who is credited with writing the definitive history of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has been honoured by the Irish President.