Where did the gaa get its name?

Answer 1

To help foster Irish sports and culture and to get them better organised. It was actually initially named the Gaelic Athletic Association for the Preservation and Cultivation of our national Pastimes. Within weeks it was shortened to the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The GAA was founded to promote Gaelic games which needed reorganisation. The GAA was founded in 1884 in the town of Thurles. Initially they wanted to resume the ancient Tailteann Games and establish an organisation for promoting athletics. Hurling and Gaelic football eventually became the main two sports that the GAA promotes. The following goals were set out:

To foster and promote native Irish pastimes.

To open athletics to all social classes.

To aid in the establishment of hurling and football clubs which would organise matches between counties.

See below for related questions about the GAA.

Answer 2

GAA stands for Gaelic Athletic Association