Lost Gaels: Remembering the Members of the GAA Killed in the Conflict in Ireland

by Peadar Thompson

‘After the massacre, the GAA became even more important to us as a real sense of identity. It’s difficult to explain but we could cling to it in a sense, and say this is ours, this is us.’ - Clare Rogan, wife of Adrian Rogan, killed by the UVF in the 1994 Loughinisland massacre

The GAA has long been at the heart of Irish life, nurturing our culture and communities and fostering powerful social bonds.

However, as sectarian conflict intensified in the North, the GAA became the object of animosity and surveillance by loyalist paramilitaries and Crown forces. Clubhouses and pitches were occupied by British forces, fans were security checked and harrassed on their way to and from games, and over 150 members were killed.

Lost Gaels is the first comprehensive account of the devastating impact of the Troubles on the GAA, providing a platform for bereaved family and friends to pay homage to their lost loved ones. Capturing the deep connection between the GAA and the everyday lives of Irish people, this is a poignant and powerful tribute to the lives of lost Gaels.

384 pages, Hardcover

Published February 17, 2025

Reviews

[Megan Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut wrenching, but a beautiful tribute to the Gaels we lost in the Troubles. A beautiful piece of work.

[Sean Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles 92 GAA individuals killed in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Family members or friends memorialize the life of the individual. GAA is a community sport organization for a local community. It provides sport instruction, sports teams and relief from the streets. It supports nationalism and Catholicism. The support families in needs. It is a very local organization. The GAA also provides dances, music, cultural center and a local pub atmosphere.
The book describes the deaths of these 92 victims. Those in the ages late leans often killed making bombs. These children were way too young to be involved in this task. There has to fault with their superiors. Those aged 20-30 were active IRA. Soldiers
Many killed by British soldiers shooting them in the back. Still others killed through collusion of loyalist and British soldiers.
This “Troubles” went on too long with the British government complicit in the deaths of too many civilians. The British government has never admitted its extensive involvement and complicity of the cause of this travesty.

[John A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book really captured each person, as a person, not only as a victim of the senseless violence during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. It brought each of the victims to life on who they were and what they accomplished in their relationship with the GAA, even as the British tried their best to rub out the GAA and it's cultural significance to the Irish/Gaels.

As many years have passed, to coin today's phrase, it shows that "Their lives mattered."

[Matt Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history book full of sorrow and injustice in regard to the local past. There is some harrowing stories here but is truly an essential book. Well written and researched.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a moving book.