From Leabhar na hÉireann, 1908, issued by An Chomhairle Náisiúnta (The National Council).
General.—The achievements of the Gael in the athletic arena are world-famed. Yet while, as a people, the Irish interest themselves most in active participation, they understand least about the true meaning and mission of popular athletics. It is only within very recent years that athletic competitions and games have been systematised at all; and, paradoxical as it may appear, this organisation has resulted in injury rather than benefit. The entire tendency has been towards the promotion of ‘sports meetings,’ and not the widespread fostering of athletics. In Ireland the result has not yet been disastrous, but is dangerous to the pre-eminence of Irish speed, strength, symmetry and stamina, and all who glory in that pre-eminence will endeavour to arrest the decay and eradicate its cause.
The source of the ‘new athletics’ was England. Its root-origin there was a shifting of population, and a tendency (never far remote from commercial prosperity) towards spectacular rather than active enjoyments. Racial physique declines in exact proportion as popular participation in outdoor sports decays.
Unfortunately, everything in Ireland at one time or another reflected the course of events across ‘the Channel,’ and so the same destructive idea regarding athletics set in here and has been perilously near producing similar results. Its probability even yet depends upon the success or failure of the nationalising forces working in Ireland to-day. Consequently the pressing necessity is to bring Irish youth to a livelier conception of the dignity and responsibility of vigorous manhood and Irish movements and minds to a more intimate consciousness of the importance of preserving the athletic vigour and versatility of the race. To create an Ireland however mentally alert and politically untrammelled which would be but a shadow and a reproach to the muscular traditions of our race could only be equalled in irony by the development of a horde of muscular beings devoid of racial pride and national dignity.
Status of Athletics.—In all primitive eras man was naturally an athlete. It sprang from within; was enforced from without; was instinctive and indispensable. In the crudest community existence, comfort, and defence depended upon the physical vigour of its units.
As the interests and extent of the community grew, the skill and strength of the people were still the primary test and reliance of the individual as an asset in the state, of the state as a power in the world. Success and security rested upon this human faculty to develop the inherent accomplishments of bodily health.
Adaptability and inventiveness expanded the methods and multiplied the manifestations of the soldier-athlete until in peace we see the arts of war rehearsed, and in the epochs of Grecian freedom and dominion we find a classic picture of such popular attainments in the realm of muscle and the duties of adult citizenship.
In the decay of those customs we have the first experience of the path which, at its zenith, mere muscularity and prosperity will take; and in the orgies and carnivals of effeminate and blindly tottering Rome we behold the most instructive examples of the duties of citizenship and the instincts of manhood neglected.
In England to-day an almost similar story of decay and moral disease may be told. The vigorous sports of the English peasantry; the healthy, if inartistic, life of the English yeoman up to a little more than a century ago played a practical part in the political uprise of that country. Since Waterloo and its resulting security, ease and plenty, the English have gorged themselves almost out of muscular existence, until to-day in every pastime, even those particularly their own, they are invariably disorganised and defeated.
Popularity of Athletics with the Gael.—We have, however, no need to seek in the histories of foreign peoples for an example of the practical and picturesque in the cultivation of athletics. In the records of Ireland we find all the benefits and all the recognition of popular athletics in full sway. In Greece the situation, evolution, necessities, and natural disposition of the people compelled an appreciation of athletic accomplishments, and they found that from the moral, artistic, hygienic and political aspects the promotion of popular pastimes and athletic exercises was a most powerful and fruitful stimulus to perfection in the ethical as well as in the physical sense.
Irish Athletics.—The authoritative evidence of the popularity of physical recreations in Erin is numerous and indisputable. It can readily be understood how well based was the muscular greatness of our race and what a salutary influence and invaluable asset it was during the years of ruthless warfare, native distractions and alien aggression. The importance of the maintenance of such a healthy state of society is best illustrated by its effects, and no more luminous proof of the moral and physical advantages of a widespread athletic activity is available than the virility and undiminished vigour of the Gael.
Range of Athletics in Erin.—Authorities show that the range of Irish athletics was remarkable in variety and merit. It embraced every kind of muscular skill and every test of physical fitness and endurance, and it may be divided as follows:—
- Chariot diving and horsemanship.
- Swimming and water feats.
- Running, jumping, wrestling, weight and weapon throwing, and, as a team game, hurling.
No department or division of athletics was therefore neglected.
Characteristics of Irish Athletics.—As may be seen from the comprehensive character of the Irish athletic code, the ideal of the race was all-round ability. The chase and the fray called for the cultivation of such proficiency in feats of strength, agility and swiftness that (and this is the true evolution of the athletic abilities of a people) the arenas of peace provided a training ground for the arena of war; the recreation green—the natural school for national or provincial defence. We can therefore understand these real characteristics, as distinguishable to-day as ever—alertness, suppleness, strength wedded to symmetry and endurance allied with grace.
In those events which by their nature promote strength and agility—the jumps and weights—what race has achieved so much fame? In games requiring strength and skill, deftness of hand, quickness of eye, endurance of body, soundness of lung and limb alike where is the equal of the Gael or what can compare with hurling?
Survivals.—The food which best provides for mental and muscular wastage is that one which fulfils the requirements of perfect nutrition. The games and athletics which preserve a race through hardships and dispersals are those most advantageous for it. The games—in the physique, which is their product—preserved our race amid the wreck of neighbouring humanity. Can it be wondered then that the Gael clings tenaciously to these games?
Yet with all their capability and the inspiring traditions of such an inheritance, the prestige of Irish athletics had fallen low during the last century. Political distractions, English mendacity, and native indifference had combined to dislodge the Irish Gael from his rightful position of pre-eminence as an athlete. An insolent coterie in Dublin—anti-national and conservative, with all the bigotry of a ‘garrison’—had succeeded in monopolising the Irish athletic arena. The people were excluded.
In the early eighties Michael Cusack saw the exclusion of the entire manhood of his race from the benefits of national athletics, while the athletic fame of his country falsely reposed in the hands of the ‘garrison,’ and he determined to make an effort to frustrate the designs of the monopolising alien and give freedom and life to the repressed but undiminished energies of his fellow-countrymen. Then the Gaelic Athletic Association was conceived and born.
‘The G.AA.’—How keen the Gael in Ireland was to welcome the movement its immediate and immense popularity proved, and how necessary such a democratic and national arena was, the exploits and triumphs which have distinguished it demonstrates.
Its programme is as comprehensive as that of its Fenian prototype, excepting only those exercises which time and change have removed—chariot driving and the use of weapons.
The scheduled programme may be set out as follows:—
- Field and team games—hurling and football.
- Athletics—running, jumping, and weight throwing.
- Wrestling and handball.
- Cycling.
Although founded in the first instance in conjunction with athletics, the G.A.A. now relies upon its team games for its chief support; as certainly it does not cultivate athletics as actively and directly as it should nor upon the lines of popularity which makes its other department so successful.
The interest of the Association and the games demand reforms—not radical but simply remedial—and they might be classified as follows:—
- Greater regard to time, order, discipline, and unity.
- Clear interpretation of rules, and a general and rigid adherence to them.
- Drastic repression of gambling, drinking, and laxity of conduct and of everything tending towards these undesirable practices.
- The cultivation of a widespread and deep-rooted pride in the games, the Association and all kindred bodies, and a fraternal regard for all engaged in them.
To amplify my points in order:—
- The present state of the national, provincial, and County Championships as regards time is not all it should be. Few of the county or provincial, and, consequently, none of the national championships are up to date. I quite recognise that much of this belatedness is a legacy from years of serious disorganisation, and that a successful effort has been (and is being) made to recover lost ground, but at the same time many who should know better exhibit a senseless disregard of the importance of the championships being up to date. Endless disputes, illegalities, and friction arise from the present situation which should be speedily terminated. Widespread co-operation and systematic effort is required to remedy this backwardness, and towards this end no more valuable aids can be requisitioned than a rigid repression of illegalities, a discouragement of appeals, and a consistent regard for small details of administration, neglect of which cause friction, delay and disorganisation.
Rule Interpretation.—Latterly a distinct desire and a practical endeavour have been manifest for a co-ordination of the rules (particularly in football), and since the last Thurles Congress a Committee has revised the laws of the games and drawn up a scale of penalties for uniform adoption. In this connection the experience of Mr. M. F. Crowe as a referee is most valuable, and in an article upon kindred topics in the ‘Gaelic Athletic Annual’ he advocates the establishment of a Referees’ Conference. Such an institution, as he forcibly points out, is badly needed in the Association, for no mere verbal simplification will ever be a remedy for peculiar individual readings of rules. An interchange of views and the adoption of a standard will alone bring the control of our games to the perfection it should attain.
Gambling.—Opinions may differ as to when and through what channel the curse of gambling and all its attendant evils came into our Gaelic games. This, however, is an institution which no length of existence could justify, and so long as Gaels—councils, players, and supporters—tolerate its influence in our arenas they jeopardise the Association and do untold in justice to the games. The rule on the subject is unmistakable and effective—if enforced. Yet this is seldom if ever done. The attractions of our best contests are marred by the presence of raucous-voiced ‘bookies’ in all the vulgarity of their pernicious trade. For the sake of the games, on national grounds, in the interest of morals this leprous intrusion must be expelled.
Athletics.—The G.A.A. has allowed its athletics proper to become a secondary consideration. The basis, the impulse of the G.A.A. was athletics. The circumstances it sought to remedy were the ostracism of the people from participation in athletic competitions and to put an end to the arrogant pretensions of a few to ‘represent’ athletic Ireland.
As a perusal of the constitution will show, the Gaelic programme is the most comprehensive in existence. Under the headings of running, weight-throwing, and jumping it embraces the greatest variety of events. Its influence has been felt in America, and, consequently, American athletic clubs include many purely Gaelic items in their athletic curricula—a course which (owing to the many exiled Gaels there) can be adopted with success.
In running, every event from the hundred yards sprint to an unlimited stretch of distance and time have been carried out under Gaelic rules, and at every measure Gaels have proven their fitness to face the world. I am not going to burden this review with names of any notable athletes for three reasons. To select would be invidious and a matter of individual opinion; because a proper conception of the prowess of the Gael is attainable only by a thorough survey of the entire world of sport; and because I refuse to recognise the exceptional achievements as singular or as a criterion of the whole. In the weights and jumps the supremacy of the Gael is truly supreme. In these tests of bodily activity he is facile princeps.
Prospects.—However, while harbouring no misgivings as regards the future of Irish athletics (except what undiminished emigration must create) I have not a very hopeful impression of Irish athletics as at present directed and controlled.
Since the Gaelic ‘Invasion’ of the United States no effort has been made to assert the position of the G.A.A. in the athletic world. Its material and its numbers justified it holding pride of place. Apparently in its councils Ireland was regarded as a subject nation. For years promiscuous. intercourse prevailed between athletes who owed allegiance to its relentless rival—the I.A.A.A. and those who adhered to the national organisation. Bigoted and insistent the alienly inspired body monopolised the representation of Ireland before the world. Records should have its imprimatur in order that the A.A.A. of England (stupidly recognised as the athletic governing body of the universe) would accept them, and so skilfully was the policy pursued that ultimately a ‘Joint Records’ Committee was formed and the G.A.A. accepted the dictation of an antagonistic, sectarian and resourceless body in order to sneak the achievements of Irish manhood into the chronicles of the English Association. No self-respecting attempt was made by the G.A.A. to vouch their own performances, no desire to ignore England and to claim recognition befitting the capabilities of its members.
When it pleased the I.A.A.A. to inaugurate an ‘International’ (Exhibition style) contest with the Scottish Athletic Association (its exact counterpart in Alba) many Gaels were utilised to form teams. So in the English championships Gaelic trained athletes were transported to wrest laurels for the I.A.A.A. The disloyalty of those athletes is almost palliated by the apathy of the national association. It made no effort to give them scope for greater triumphs, but left its enemies to annex its fame and exploit its members. The rules of the G.A.A. as regards direct control of athletic competitions are nearly dead letters. The G.A.A. ceased to promote athletics in anything but a passive manner. With the single exception of the annual championships it initiates no competitions. Its functions have been narrowed down to the issuing of ‘permits,’ allotting championships, and adjudicating on occasional irregularities brought before it—at the end of each season. ‘Sports’ are promoted mostly by persons unattached to the Association. The occasions chosen are dates when maximum gate receipts will be secured, and the venue selected is directed by local exigencies swayed by local trading interests. In no single case is the ‘sports’ established to popularly foster athletic activity. Immature talent is discouraged by the presence of some star performers, who seldom, if ever, pay either their entry fee or expenses, but who often dictate the prizes they will accept and the douceur they will expect.
Under such conditions popular physical recreation cannot progress nor the Association prosper. It is only a return to the earliest aims of the Association that can secure the fulfilment of its mission.
Instead of being the ‘rule,’ promoted sports should be ‘the exception.’ They are a source of corruption and danger to the G.A.A. County Committees should generally exercise their privilege (except in Wexford county utterly ignored) of holding athletic gatherings, and they, and not irresponsible promoters, should receive Gaelic championships for decision. Every club should be encouraged to form athletic teams and so create a direct interest in, and give direct representation to, athletics in the councils. The fostering of tyros rather than the pampering of champions and the support and participation of the greatest numbers should be the ideal always in view.
If such were done three purposes would be attained—the main aim of the G.A.A. would be preserved, the deterioration and dwindling influence of popular athletics would be checked, and the historic prestige and prowess of the Gael would be maintained. So strong has the ‘Cross Channel’ standard of utility become that, because the return to the proper procedure and original purpose of the G.A.A. would result for a time in financial loss, it cannot be entertained. Its continuance is, nevertheless, destructive to the race. Furthermore a tendency has grown to ignore or relegate to a minor position events such as jumping and weight-throwing which, owing to the vitiating effects of English influences do not now appeal to the public. The side-tracking of such events is a most suicidal policy, as not alone are they of the utmost value intrinsically but they are, moreover, items in which the true Gael has always peculiarly delighted and prominently shone.
Wrestling and Handball.—Although both these pastimes have been on the Gaelic programme since its first appearance neither has ever received any actual official encouragement. Yet both are games in which Gaels have excelled Leinster had long been famous for its wrestlers and wrestling contests, and even yet, despite every vicissitude and disability, the districts bordering upon Dublin maintain a keen interest and produce capable performers in the popular ‘Collar and Elbow’ style. That such a wide area and so popular and meritorious a branch of athletics should have received only nominal recognition is only another instance of how partial and halting has been the management of Gaelic athletic affairs.
Ireland and America are respectively the cradle and the home of handball, and, so far as modern activities go, of handball players. Although at one time no part of Ireland was without expert exponents and enthusiastic followers of this superb exercise, circumstances have contributed to limit the game in later years largely to Leath Mhogha. Handball shares the same fate as wrestling so far as the G.A.A. officially is concerned—the recent efforts to revive the popularity of both exercises in Dublin being spontaneous and isolated rather than a change of policy in the Association. There is not—with, perhaps, the exception of hurling, a game in which the Gael so brilliantly excels or so zestfully enjoys as handball. The game in America (where it secures great popularity and generous support) owes its introduction and pre-eminence to exiled Gaels, and with rare exceptions its leading exponents in the States are of Irish birth, extraction or training.
Here it is still popular where alleys or courts exist. In the south, Kerry and Cork, many notable players are always forthcoming. Wexford (mostly with ‘open courts’), Carlow, and, in a less degree, adjoining counties still follow the game. In Dublin it fell into the hands of semi-professional devotees, but in Connacht it is still popular and receives some support from the Gaelic Association. But its practice and players are utterly unorganised and isolated. On the whole, this splendid game is pitifully neglected to the loss of the Gael and the discredit of the Association. This is a pastime which should be promoted at all cost, as its merits and science are beyond all question. In the U.S.A. it is recognised as a superlative means of attaining and maintaining physical fitness, alertness of eye, and delicacy of touch. It is to be hoped a vigorous and well-directed endeavour will be made to place handball in a proper position.
Cycling.—Although recognised as a distinct form of physical power, since cycling has been embodied in the Gaelic programme, it will receive a few comments. They will be brief. I am strongly of opinion that in the heyday of cycle-racing intercourse between cyclists and athletes resulted in the corruption of the latter. Since the cessation of ‘trade’ interest in racing, competition has declined and a few years will see its disappearance as a competitive sport. The unfortunate position in which the G.A.A. was placed at sports held under ‘I.C.A. and G.A A. laws’ as regards the ‘garrison’ left the latter no alternative but to cease all connection. I would candidly welcome the transfer of the energies devoted to controlling cycling and cyclists to the encouragement of either wrestling or handball.
Swimming and Rowing.—These are a couple of pastimes which have not received any attention from Gaels but which deserve cultivation. They are practically the monopoly of ‘the garrison’ and seoininidhe, not because of any particular aptitude of that class for the games, but because of timidity on the part of the Gaels. Of the two, because of its utility, merit, and ease of pursuit, I would place swimming first. We know how popular, even essential, aquatic expertness was in ancient days in Erin, and it need scarcely cause wonder that in a country like ours, surrounded and intersected by water, the Gael should take kindly to that element. Yet our ability as swimmers is declining while the pursuit of natatory pastimes is entirely surrendered to a select few comprised in a dozen or so clubs. This should be remedied, and, as a beginning, Gaels devoted to the art in some of the larger towns should band themselves together and create the nucleus of a swimming association or league allied to the G.A.A. and directing its operations along the popular and democratic lines advocated for that organisation. The expense would be trivial, as a modest beginning should suffice. Elaboration should always proceed with growing strength.
Another delightful and important but neglected pastime is that of oarsmanship. It, like swimming, finds its securest patronage in the sphere of the West Briton and the militia band. Of course there are Gaels in several rowing clubs, but they are rather diffident of their position or submerged in an atmosphere of denationalisation. No race in Europe can excel the Gael as seamen. From the days of the Milesian Galleys to that of the Quilty fishermen their resource, expertness, and courage are unquestionable. But the Gael in the world of rowing is a negligible factor. The cost attending the pastime is comparatively heavy, but not so ponderous that cities like Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway, and towns like Wexford, Ross, Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, Clonmel and many more should not be able to maintain a club. Can we doubt that the muscle, heart, and stamina of the Gael on the water would not prove as formidable as in the athletic arena?
Summary.—I have traversed, I think, the entire arena of Irish (Gaelic) athletics, dealing with every pastime in the present-day programme except tug-of-war—a species of contest better fitted for oxen than rational beings. There are, of course, a few other games in which some Gaels take a keen interest—alien pastimes glorified by ‘social’ privileges and ‘distinguished’ patronage. They have been alien in origin and will remain alien and alienising up to the last. With them I will not deal. The Gaelic programme is comprehensive, varied and strenuous enough for any native. Experience has shown it to be far too strenuous, for the foreign element here. I have pictured in subdued tints the positions of the various pastimes, not to depress but to inspire. The Irish athletic arena is not yet fully revived from the miasma of anglicisation into which it was led. It has not yet fully adopted a policy of self-reliance and self-conscious strength. The administration of Irish athletics was of two characters and in two directions—one was alien in aspirations and ambitions and conservative in selection and enterprise; the other sought, but partially failed, to rescue Irish manhood from the influence of the former and largely failed because it put forward no paramount distinction, held forth no supreme test. The alien association led the system of Irish athletics on the English model and towards English ideals and standards. The native organisation failed to break away aggressively from this tradition and return to the native and natural bases of popular, democratic, universal recreation and physical culture. The stimulus was lacking, the true ideal of athletic education and ability was wanting, and so the problem was not solved. The situation has changed—immensely and beyond reaction. The higher mission of physical well being—popular promotion and proper control—is now no mere theory, it is a national question. The individual responsibilities of the physically fit cannot now be ignored. We have in Ireland—the foundation of a nation—a healthy vigorous body. We are rapidly restoring to its throne the spiritual individuality and intellectual freedom of our race. Under the benign inspiration of two such factors we can honestly conclude that the future for Irish manhood on Irish lines is bright, and the duty of Irish athletes—imbued with Irish ideals—is clear.