The 'voice' of the GAA delivers fine tribute to founder
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HOW MANY can name the signatories to the 1916 proclamation? Then how many Gaels can even list those who penned their names to the Michael Cusack proposal which formed the GAA in Thurles 125 years ago?
Few within the organisation can actually name the men who pledged to front what is now one of the greatest amateurs sporting associations on the globe, and the grave of the last of whose was only identified and recognised as recently as weeks ago.
The recognition of those who have spawned so many competitions and events which have given so much enjoyment to so many for 125 years and on all continents, was decided upon by a Croke Park committee which spend considerable time in tracing several of the graves.
None better to remind Gaels of those who set the multi-strand association in motion other than the 'voice' of the GAA Michael O'Muircheartaigh when guesting at the Carlow '62 hurling and football celebrations in Carlow recently.
He, who arguably knows the GAA history by heart, reminded diners, including most of the celebrated hurlers and footballers of the early '60s, of the efforts made to find the last resting place of several of the seven.
"People often talk about the seven, and while it is known there were seven signatories to the 1916 Proclamation, long before that seven people met in Hayes Hotel to found the GAA.
"Michael Cusack was the person who circulated maybe hundreds of people, but only seven turned up, and it was that seven which backed Cusack's proposition to found the Gaelic Athletic Association on the Ist of November 1884," he said
"This being the 125th anniversary they had several committees in Croke Park, committees about looking forward and building a better future, others to sort out little things which may have been neglected, and they got the idea that there should be a plaque over the grave of every one of the seven."
It is generally know that Cusack was buried in Glasnevin and Maurice Davin's grave is also long recognised. "I remember in 1984 a plaque was placed on JJ Bracken's grave in Tankardstown, Co. Limerick (his son was an advisor to Churchill during World War 11) but there were three at the beginning of this year whose graves were not noted.
"One was a journalist John Wyse-Power, I think he was with the Leinster Leader. It was never marked that he was a founder-member of the GAA. That was rectified this year also," said Miceal.
"He was buried somewhere in London and with great assistance from the London police his overgrown grave was located only in the last six weeks. It was cleaned up and the GAA commissioned a lovely plaque to be put over it. Christy Cooney went over as president and Jarlath Burns, chairman of that committee, for the ceremony."
That left only one unmarked grave, that of John St. George McCarthy, and someone discovered he was buried in Dean's Grange, and with great help from the Gardai his grave too was located, only a few weeks ago. "
"And so a task which started when Cusack died has been completed this year, and a nice way to bring the 125th year to a conclusion."
