Gaelic football recognised as part of Ireland’s “intangible heritage”

Gaelic football has been granted State recognition as part of Ireland’s living cultural heritage.

Gaelic football joins Irish set dancing, weaving of a St. Brigid’s Cross and the Irish amateur dramatic tradition as cultural practices that make up Ireland’s “intangible cultural heritage.”

Ireland maintains a list of practices significant to Irish culture in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which Ireland ratified in 2015.

The aim of the National Inventory for Intangible Cultural Heritage is to protect, promote and celebrate Irish living cultural heritage practices, customs, crafts and traditions.

Minister for the Arts Catherine Martin said “our living heritage is an integral part of our culture. I am pleased to announce state recognition of four further practices through Ireland’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

“Each of these practices is integral to the culture and identity of the communities who practice them, and to our society more broadly. As part of my department’s ongoing obligations under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, we aim to acknowledge, safeguard and promote Ireland’s cultural heritage. The practices recognised today continue to thrive through the dedicated communities who sustain and pass on their skills through the generations”

Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, said “we are extremely honoured to have Gaelic football formally added to Ireland’s list of intangible cultural heritage.”

“Just as hurling and camogie were recognised by UNESCO in 2018, this recognition is important because Gaelic football and Ladies Gaelic football are an intrinsic part of who we are. They are unique to us and their importance to Irish people is evidenced by their popularity in more than 1,600 clubs throughout this island and the 500 GAA clubs which exist elsewhere in the world.”

“We are enormously proud of the skills and artistry which have evolved in our national games over centuries, and we are delighted that Gaelic games have been recognised and supported by the Government, and thank Minister Catherine Martin and her colleagues for their continuing support.”

Ard-Stiúrthóir of the LGFA, Helen O’Rourke, said”we are delighted to have Ladies’ Gaelic Football recognised on this list. This is a timely announcement as we get set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association next Thursday, July 18th.”

“We have come a long way in half a century, with almost 200,000 members in our Association, and over 1,000 clubs across Ireland and Britain. To have our sport inscribed on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a source of great pride to us. Our entire membership base has played a key role to ensure that this has now come to pass and we wish to acknowledge Minster Catherine Martin and her colleagues, who continue to provide invaluable assistance and support.”

“I warmly welcome this important development and it is also wonderful to see men’s Gaelic Football formally recognised in a similar vein.”