Historic GAA Tribute Unveiled In Thurles, As Tipperary Celebrates Spirit Of Native Games.

A monumental bronze sculpture by Kilkenny artist Mr Aidan Harte was unveiled outside FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles today, celebrating the town’s unique place in the history of Gaelic Games.

Standing more than three metres tall, Ár gCluichí Féin, (meaning Our Own Games), depicts a male and female player in motion, representing the energy, skill and shared traditions of hurling, camogie and Gaelic football.

The inclusion of the female figure is particularly significant, making the work the first major GAA statue to portray a female player.

The sculpture honours Thurles as the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which was founded at Hayes’ Hotel in the town in 1884. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association was also established at the same location 90 years later, in 1974.
GAA President Mr Jarlath Burns attended the unveiling alongside young representatives of the Primary Games and leading Tipperary players, including senior hurling captain Mr Ronan Maher, vice-captain Mr Jake Morris and senior camogie captain Ms Caoimhe McCarthy.

Commissioned by Tipperary County Council in partnership with Tipperary GAA and FBD Semple Stadium, the artwork forms part of a wider place making programme for the area. The investment also includes tourism, active-travel, road, cycling and public-realm improvements around the stadium and truly is a must view.

Mr Harte began his career in the arts at Kilkenny-based animation studio Cartoon Saloon, working alongside its founders Tom Moore and Paul Young. He later studied sculpture in Florence and has created several prominent works, including the widely discussed Púca sculpture commissioned for County Clare.

Now permanently positioned beside one of Ireland’s most celebrated sporting grounds, Ár gCluichí Féin provides a striking tribute to the generations of women and men who have played, supported and sustained Ireland’s native games.

Present Chairperson (Cathaoirleach) of Tipperary County Council, Labour Councillor Ms Fiona Bonfield summed up the occasion in her introductory opening speech stating: “It is wonderful to see such a large attendance here today. Unlike most occasions held in Semple Stadium, there is no debate this morning about team selections, controversial refereeing decisions, or whether the ball went over the bar. For once, we are all gathered in complete agreement to celebrate something truly special.
It is a great pleasure to be here today for the unveiling of this remarkable artwork—a piece that celebrates a place of profound importance in Ireland’s sporting, cultural and social history: Thurles, the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
In a week when we have witnessed at first hand the importance of our national games to our people, and collectively celebrated a historic game last Sunday, (Mayo v Kerry) we have, as a nation, felt a tremendous sense of pride in that journey.

Today, we gather not only to welcome a new artistic creation, but also to honour a story—a story that began here in Thurles in 1884, when a small group of visionaries came together with the ambitious idea of preserving, promoting and strengthening Ireland’s indigenous games and cultural traditions.
From that meeting emerged an organisation that would grow beyond anything its founders could ever have imagined. What would those founders think if they could see the GAA today?
For more than 140 years, the GAA has helped to shape communities across Ireland and throughout the world. It has nurtured generations of players, volunteers, supporters and families. It has provided places where people belong, where friendships are forged, where leadership is developed and where local pride flourishes.”

“At the heart of that story is Thurles. This town occupies a unique place in our national consciousness. It is where the foundations were laid for a movement that would become one of the largest amateur sporting organisations in the world.
It is fitting, therefore, that this artwork should stand here in Thurles as a permanent reminder of that legacy, and of the vision, determination and community spirit that inspired the founders of the Association.
Public art has a special role in our communities. It allows us to connect with our shared history, celebrate our identity and tell our stories in a way that resonates across generations.
Great artwork, however, endures. It captures the imagination, sparks conversations and leaves a lasting impression.
This artwork does precisely that. It honours the past while speaking to the future. It reminds young people of the extraordinary heritage they inherit and encourages them to become the next generation of players, volunteers, artists, leaders and custodians of community life.
As we unveil this artwork, we celebrate far more than a historical event. We celebrate creativity. We celebrate artistic mastery. We celebrate community. We celebrate volunteer-ism. We celebrate identity. Above all, we celebrate a town whose name will forever be linked with one of the most influential organisations in Irish life.” continued Ms Bonfield.

While welcoming the many dignitaries and team players in attendance today; Ms Bonfield further stated, “Fittingly, here in Thurles, at the Field of Legends, we celebrate a passion that can unite neighbours, families and entire counties”.

Our Games Began Here — and Today, They Come Home

Speaking after the sculpture was revealed, Ár gCluichí Féin artist Mr Aidan Harte described the satisfaction of finally seeing the completed work installed on its plinth. The artist spent much of the previous year modelling the figures in clay at his Kildare studio, before the piece was transferred to a foundry and cast in bronze.

Mr Harte stated, “My father will be the first to tell you that I am Ireland’s worst sportsman. I peaked as a corner-forward at the age of nine. But sculpting this pair of giants was my version of senior hurling.
Thank you to Ms Melanie Scott of Tipperary Arts Office for awarding me this commission amid strong competition, and for supporting me throughout its year-long creation.

Thank you to Mr Vincent O’Shea for his good advice, and the occasional kick up the arse when I needed it.
Thanks also to sculptors Mr Alan Clarke, Ms Liz O’Kane and Mr Hywel Pratley for their second opinions on anatomy and composition, and to Mr Kieran Riley for his engineering advice on constructing a work of this scale.
The Foundry did far more than cast the sculpture; they were co-creators. My thanks to Mr David O’Brien, Jessica, Sandra, Ahmed and Brian for transforming the clay created in my studio into bronze.

The raw materials for the plinth came from Manor Stone, while Thomas Duffy and the County Council team constructed it, along with the elegant space in which the sculpture now stands. Completing everything on time required close coordination between Thurles District Council and Semple Stadium, led by Ms Deirdre Dunne and Mr David Morgan.

Finally, thank you to the people of Thurles for allowing my champions to become part of the Semple Stadium’s story.
Our games began here. They thrived here. Today, they come home.

Down in County Clare, my first public sculpture, The Púca, stands in the birthplace of Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, with FBD Semple Stadium one of the great arenas of Gaelic games, and it is an honour to take part in its continuing story.
I hope this sculpture reminds everyone who sees it of how powerful we can be when people unite around the things they love. The two figures do not depict any particular players, because Gaelic games belong to all of us.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring this work to life: my wife, Bronagh, who put up with the muddy floors; my neighbour Stuart, who loaned me his football boots; and my models, Natalia Hornet, Noémie Birard, Michael Harte and Pierce Harte.
I created the sculpture on top of a steel armature, built by my father Billy, back in the 1970s. Billy himself hurled on these hallowed grounds for Kilkenny.

Thank you all for coming out and sharing this special occasion”, concluded Mr Harte.