Write a comment
In a year that holds such commemoration in the development of Gaelic sport for women, in particular camogie and ladies’ football, we have a look at how these sports have become imbedded in the communities of Newry and Mourne.
The Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1884. Open to everyone, this was not a sport solely for the rich, but also the poor. However, ‘everyone’ was male. There was no suggestion that women should play, they were along the sidelines watching or in the background, which was reflective of the place of women in society at that time.
Early founders carved out a space for women’s sport. This year camogie celebrates its 120th anniversary, having been founded in 1904, with Newry being the second club formed in Ireland. In the beginning, long skirts and long-sleeved blouses were worn and the play was predominantly on the ground. The game has developed considerably since those early days, with today’s players demonstrating amazing levels of skill and fitness.
A few clubs were established in the Newry area in the early 1900’s. Faugh A Bealach was one of those clubs, another was Clan Uladh, who formed a camogie branch with the assistance of the Gaelic League. In 1919, a team known as Cumann na mBan, a nationalist women’s movement, was on the go.
In 1939, another club, attached to the Irish National Foresters Girls’ Club, St. Bridget’s was established. In the early 1940’s, the Newry and District League was initiated, and Newry entered the Clanrye club into this league. Some other teams involved in the league included Carrickcruppen, Warrenpoint (Betsy Grey’s), Corrinshegoe, Camlough, Mayobridge, Hilltown, Barnmeen, Rathfriland, Meigh, Killeavy, Jonesboro, Newtownhamilton and Ballyvarley.
In the 1940’s a ceilidhe was held in the Town Hall to facilitate the presentation of a handsome cup and set of medals to the Clanrye camogie team, winners of the Newry and District League. It proved to be one of the most successful functions for some time in Gaelic circles with over five-hundred people enjoying dancing and singing to the accompaniment of McCusker’s Band, Armagh.
Camogie then flourished in south Armagh and south Down, encouraged by the success of Sacred Heart Grammar School, who were the first Ulster team to win the All-Ireland Senior Colleges Championship at Croke Park in 1971, captained by Anne McCone.
A past player of Sacred Heart, St. Bridget’s and Warrenpoint, Belle O’Loughlin became immersed in coaching, refereeing and administration at club, county and provisional levels. She was elected President of the Camogie Association in 1994.
In 2024, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association celebrated their 50th anniversary in July, after being established in 1974 in Thurles, while Down LGFA celebrated their 30th anniversary in September. In 2001, the LGFA had in the region of 80,000 members, by 2020, that number had risen to 192,873. In the same period, clubs registered went from 650 to 1,395.
In Armagh, ladies football commenced around 1970 with Lissummon forming a team to take part in an unofficial league in county Louth. Things have come a long way for the sport in schools, clubs and the two counties across the district with many successes. Armagh are the first ladies’ organisation to develop and play on their own facilities at McKeever Park, with Sinead Reel, the driving force behind the initiative.
Looking to the future, ladies Gaelic sport in Newry and Mourne looks secure and set to thrive with continued support and dedicated people who form the backbone in all aspects of these sports.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
