If you want to really understand the GAA and the game of hurling, you need to read a book like Michael Fahy's "History of Kilconieron GAA Club, 1885-2005. Rich in hurling tradition". This wonderful book documents the first ever meeting in John Sweeney's house in Dunkellin Street, Loughrea on August 15th 1884. Those present were Michael Cusack; William Duffy, J.P.McCarthy and John Sweeney, all of Loughrea, Peter Kelly from Kilnadeema, James Lynam, Eyrecourt and Michael Kelly, Kilchreest. They were meeting to form the organisation that is the Gaa. They decided they needed a patron and approached the Bishop, Dr. Duggan who lived in the Parochial House next to the Cathedral. He was keen but felt he was too old, and recommended "A patriotic young clergyman named Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel". And that is how the GAA came to be officially formed in Thurles on November 1st 1884.

The importance of Michael's book however is not so much in his recording of major historical events as in how he traces the evolution of a club. The very heart of the GAA is the club system that produces the pride in the parish, in your school, in the team that represents your village. This book is full of facts, of match reports, of nostalgia and of wonderful photographs. Our picture today is one of tyhose, of the Galway Minor Hurling Team of 1962. They are, back row, left to right; Jimmy Grealish, Paddy Lally, Fintan Muldoon, Frank Heaney, Tom Canavan, Mike Niland, Mossy Devlin, Tom O'Hara, Frank Burke and Sean Keely. In front are Eamonn Lane, Declan Furey, Frank Kenny, Frank Coffey, Mossy Walsh, Joe Campbell, Pat Joe Brien, Paddy Finnegan and Padraic Niland. Our county minor team are in action again this Sunday, in Croke Park, looking for an historic three titles in a row, so let us give them all our support, and let us turn up in big numbers when they hopefully bring that trophy across the Shannon.

We have had a request from Michael & Ann Gilmore who can be reached at 0044161 7979228 or e-mail mickyanngilmore@tiscali.co.uk They are trying to trace their family. His grandfather was John Gilmore (b.1888) who married Mary McDermott (b.1900) in St. Joseph's Church in 1919. They lived in Munster Lane. Mary's father was a labourer named Patrick. She had a sister Delia, and a brother Patrick who was killed in the 1st World War. They may have lived in the Claddagh. John's father was a trawlerman named Patrick. John & Mary had a son Patrick who was 6 years old when his mother died. He was sent to Letterfrack until he was 16. He did some farmwork for a while & then emigrated, never to return. He never spoke to his family about home, and they are now trying to piece some information together. Can anybody help ?

Finally a note about a forthcoming symposium which will be held on Inis Thiar on September 8-10. The subject is stone walls, and will be of interest to stonewallers, farmers, property owners, architects, builders & craftspeople, archeologists, local authority staff, rural social scheme participants, FAS employees, local history enthusiasts, REPS planners & anyone interested in stone walls. There is an exciting line-up of speakers & demonstrators. It should be a great weekend. Details from Marie Mannion, County Heritage Officer phone 091 509198 or e-mail mmannion@galwaycoco.ie

Please forward any queries/comments to oldgalway@kennys.ie