How can Thurles capitalise on its links with the GAA?
The GAA and Tipperary County Council have engaged in talks over expanding Thurles’ GAA heritage links
Discussions have been ongoing between the GAA and local representatives regarding an increase in heritage facilities in Thurles.
The point was raised by Cllr Jim Ryan at the February meeting of the Thurles Municipal District of the Tipperary Council.
He said: “There’s no signage, no GAA trail and no heritage centre in Thurles,” added that the GAA agrees that the Tipperary link could be better capitalised on from a tourist perspective.
“There is huge interest across the world in the GAA and we are at the birthplace of it - it is a golden opportunity lost for Tipperary.
“It will put Thurles and Tipperary on the map and I guarantee if the GAA was founded in Cork or Kerry there would be a visitor centre and it wouldn't be a case of a loud local councillor asking ‘why isn't there even a sign up?’” he added.
“We have a golden opportunity here to take it to the next level,” he said.
Speaking with the Tipperary Star, GAA Communications Manager Cian Murphy said that the GAA has engaged with local representatives regarding the matter, in an attempt to boost the town’s visibility as a key location in the GAA’s history.
He said: “We have had a number of very positive engagements with local elected representatives and with officers of Tipperary GAA and Tipperary Co Co this year, with more planned. It all follows on from our November 2024 published study on the GAA's Economic Impact and Social Value carried out by Sheffield Halam University. This report showed, among other things, that the 2024 Munster hurling final in Thurles was worth €3.2m to Thurles and €4.5m to County Tipperary.
“The study proved, for the first time, what has been long-felt anecdotally that among the positive benefits of GAA activity is an economic impact and benefit and a ripple effect from our games when big crowds attend big matches.
“Myself and my colleague Dr Peter Horgan were invited to make a presentation on our findings at a meeting in the council offices in Thurles in February, and separately, afterwards met TD's Alan Kelly and Ryan O'Meara with GAA Uachtarán Jarlath Burns present.
“One of the observations raised was the opportunity that Thurles and Tipperary has to sell itself as the birthplace of the GAA with the founding in Hayes's Hotel on November 1, 1884 and numerous other significant GAA landmarks that Tipperary GAA can lay claim to.
“In our conversations we would have impressed upon those present that the GAA has begun planning for the pivotal landmark that will be our 150th anniversary in 2034 and that Tipperary has a really special part in the telling of that story, the foundation and the success in the near century and a half since in terms of great players and influential leaders.
“We understand the council have plans to help Tipperary and Thurles make the most of this opportunity which is exciting and encouraging to hear.
“The replacement cost of GAA volunteerism has been estimated at €1 billion
The return on investment is valued to be at least €2.30 for every €1 invested in the GAA
The social value of Gaelic games to the island of Ireland is valued as €2.87 billion
“This is really important and allows Tipperary GAA to make a case that any local and national funding for projects such as renovation work in Semple Stadium not only has a positive impact but a measurable return and that ensuring that big crowds can be safely catered for at Semple Stadium has a significant economic benefit,” he added.
A representative from the Tipperary County Council said: “A meeting took place on 17th April 2026. It included the Tourism section also along with representees from the GAA. The meeting was to discuss a shared vision for the promotion of the story of the GAA in Thurles.”