Séan Kelly, MEP for Ireland South, has called on the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to mark the Centenary of the First World War.
The GAA promotes Gaelic sports, including hurling and Gaelic football.
Mr. Kelly, who is a former president of the GAA, made the comments at the end of December 2013, in light of the English Premier League’s decision to construct a new third-generation artificial pitch in Ypres to commemorate the Centenary of the conflict.
The MEP described the Premier League’s plans as “a fitting tribute” to mark the 100 year anniversary of the First World War.
“I have raised the possibility of the Premier League allowing other sporting organisations to use the facility. If this is possible, I would like to investigate the possibility of holding commemorative games of Gaelic football and hurling on the pitch, to pay tribute to the memory of thousands of people from all communities on the island of Ireland who perished in the conflict”.
“Such an occasion would highlight the positive power of sport in bringing people together, bridging divides and would also afford us an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have gone before us”.
Images courtesy of the European Parliament
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News