Sports in the Segregated Society

Reflection or Contribution to the Cultural Separateness

Abstract

‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland is deep rooted and its stubborn linkage with two deferent cultures backed by the different faith does not allow the politicians to reach the break-through without any problems.
Sports played in such a divided society in a way or another have reflected or contributed to the conditions where the each side of people has the difficulties in understanding the different way of living.
Three different kinds of sports are selected to illustrate the cultural separateness in Ireland. Namely GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), rugby football (union) and soccer, which are supposed to be major sports in Ireland, are deeply integrated into the unique Irish cultural history and environment.
GAA is widely believed to work as a nationalistic symbol and actually has been a part of power bloc in the country. Irish Rugby Football Union has managed to produce one united national team regardless of southern or northern. However the united Ireland is nothing but a myth in reality. Soccer has two different representative teams and organization, so in a way reflected the reality well.
It is discussed that the educational system have played a key role in the reproduction of the cultural division in this society.