GAA Generations

We are our stories, and we tell them while standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. 

Ireland boasts a rich tradition of passing our stories from one generation to the next. To honour that, and to capture a better understanding of what the GAA means to its members, we have launched ‘GAA Generations’ oral research project.  

What is GAA Generations?
The idea is simple – we are inviting young GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association members aged 12-21 to record on their mobile phone a conversation with ‘One Good Adult’; someone who they look up to and admire in the 55+ age bracket. It could be, for example, a parent/grandparent, a coach, or a teacher, past or present, that saw and nurtured your potential. 

Older participants will also be given the opportunity to quiz their young interviewees on their GAA experiences and how it may have impacted their understanding of who they are.

What’s the purpose of the project?
GAA Generations aims to recruit between 500-1,000 young GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association members (aged 12-21 years-old) who will receive online training in conducting an interview with a person of influence in their life aged 55+. The conversations with their selected ‘One Good Adult’, recorded on a smart phone along with a photo of the participants, will be stored on the GAA’s eLearning platform and published as part of the GAA archive. For taking part, you will receive a UNESCO Chairs/GAA Youth Researcher Certificate of Participation.

How can I get involved?_
If you are a young GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association member aged 12-21 years (inclusive) and would like to participate in this research project please complete the expression of interest form.

If you are a teacher and would like to have your students involved please see the Teacher Classroom Activity Page.

How does it work?
STEP 1 - Participants will be notified of registration steps by email upon completion of the expression of interest form

STEP 2 – Participant must complete a short online Training Module on the GAA eLearning Platform

STEP 3 – Participants identify the person (Age 55+) they will interview and conduct an audio interview approx. 15mins long using their Smartphone

STEP 4 – Participants Upload the Interview to the GAA eLearning Platform

STEP 5 – Participants are issued with a UNESCO Chairs/GAA Youth Researcher Certificate of Participation.

STEP 6 – Researchers from the University of Galway will analyse the interviews

STEP 7 - UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, University of Galway and the GAA will host a special event with a special guest, for up to 100 participants in Croke Park on November 2nd.

For further information contact gaagenerations@gaa.ie or Stephen Quinn at +353 (0) 1 819 2387

GAA Generations has benefitted from funding from the HSE Mental Health division via the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Depending on the volume of applications received, it may not be possible to facilitate everyone due to the analysis of the data required.