This paper focuses on the process by which the personality layer of nationalist was strengthened through the involvement in the traditional sport (GAA) in Ireland.
The general understanding about Irish nationalism generated through the GAA activities is that the IRB took control from the beginning and the nationalist feeling was reproduced through the GAA activities. The different viewpoint about this is provided in this thesis.
The parish-based club system played a main role in the creation of the cohesiveness among the GAA members. Irish National League was another key player for this role. Catholicism and introductory campaign for home rule were two ideological backgrounds for the establishment of the GAA.
Subsequently the networking between parishes or counties was enhanced through the GAA activities along with the other nationalist movements. The web of interdependency was extended in this process and a rather isolated unit of a parish became more integrated to the nation-wide nationalist movement.
Through this process, the parishioner's layer of nationalist became more dominant than the other layers in their mentality. Finally several nationalist movements became inter-linked with each other and amplified its sentiment towards Independence.
Local club histories were used to illustrate the grass-roots sentiments rather than the decision of the Central Council of the GAA. Consolidated ‘single-layered’ sentiment, which was facilitated by the Ban, against political and cultural colonization by Britain was a key factor to explain the generation of Irish nationalism within the GAA members.
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