Paris Gaels GAA have been playing and promoting Gaelic Games for 15 years by the banks of the Seine. The finals of this year's Men's Regional French and Channel Islands Football title, which will be held in Paris on Saturday 27th June, will see a record number of native French players participating, including an all French team from Rennes and players from Lyon, Nice, Nantes and Provence. To celebrate the GAA's 125 years and 15 years of Paris Gaels, the club have teamed up with the Chaplaincy in the Irish College in Paris to invite Liam Irwin, Head of History at Mary Immaculate Limerick, to speak about the GAA, on the eve of the tournament in Paris. Fr. David Bracken, Chaplain of the Irish College, says that "It is particularly important and appropriate that we gather to celebrate 125 years of the GAA here in Paris, as we have such a strong connection with Archbishop Croke one of the founding fathers and visionaries for the GAA. Not everyone may be aware that Archbishop Croke, co-founder of the GAA was a student in Paris from1840 to 1844, and so we are delighted to have Liam over to mark this event, which promises to be a wonderful night for all the Irish community in Paris." In honour of Archbishop Croke Fr. Bracken will throw in the ball for the final, a moment the Archbishop would surely cherish 125 years on from the foundation of the GAA and 155 years after his studies in Paris. Westmeath man Darran Lovely and Paris Gaels chairman adds "It's a huge honour to chair the club in this very special year and we welcome everyone to Patrick's Pub in the 11th Arrondissement to learn more about the history of the GAA and to attend the tournament on the 27th at the ASPTT sports grounds. William Fortin, one of 10 French Paris Gaels' players, who was introduced to Gaelic Games while studying in Ireland on transition year in 2007 will be participating. "I really enjoyed playing both Gaelic Football and Hurling while in Ireland and am delighted to be able to continue to play these sports in France with Paris Gaels. The speed and skill of the games are what I enjoy most and I'm looking forward to hearing about the GAA's history at the talk on Friday night" said William. GAA in France is developing year on year, with three new teams springing up in Lyon, Clermont and Nice in 2009. There is already a thriving Breton League, which was created in 2004 with teams from Brest, Rennes, Nantes, Vannes and Liffré Saint-Quay (Lannion), and the city of Nantes recently hosted a Beach Gaelic tournament with 8 French teams participating. Rennes will pose a tough challenge to Paris Gaels who are attempting to defend both their Men's Regional French and Channel Islands Football title. The Ladies tournament will see teams from Paris, Belgium, Holland, Munich and Rennes participating in the third round of the European Ladies Championship. Eileen Jennings, Paris Ladies Officer and European County Board Chairperson, says "A great weekend is in store with over 12 teams attending including some travelling from as far away as Munich and Jersey, we welcome all to support both events, including those who may be on holidays from Ireland". Events Liam Irwin, Head of History Mary Immaculate Limerick, Guest Speaker on 125 years of GAA Venue June 26th 20h Patrick's 33, rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris, Metro Faidherbe Chaligny line 8 Paris Gaels Mens' and Ladies' Football Tournament Venue ASPTT, June 27 10h - 18hr ASPTT 202/212 avenue Jean Jaures, Metro Fort d'Aubervilliers line 7 Contact: Mícheál Ó Craidheàin, Paris Gaels PRO, [email protected] Tel. +33607564124 Website & Blog: http://www.parisgaa.org/ Tweet

Most Read Stories