The president of the Gaelic Athletic Association () is the head of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

The president holds office for three years. The role of president has existed since the foundation of the GAA. The president of the GAA is one of the leading figures in civil society in Ireland, as the association has around one million members and is present in every parish in the country. The role of president involves representing the GAA in Ireland and across the world. Former presidents of the GAA have a key role within the GAA, sitting on the motions committee which rules if motions to the annual Congress are in order. They also have become known for other roles such as Seán Kelly, who was later elected as an MEP for the South constituency.

The president travels across Ireland and the world to promote the organisation and attend games; former President Nickey Brennan travelled 160,000 miles in Ireland alone during his three years as president, and visited Great Britain, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East on several occasions, meeting dignitaries such as New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg along the way.

Jarlath Burns assumed office as president on 24 February 2024.

Selection

The president is elected at Annual Congress by secret ballot. They then serve as Uachtarán-Tofa for one year.

History

In 1981, John Kerry O'Donnell became the first overseas member of the GAA to run for president.

In 2020, Larry McCarthy became the first overseas member of the GAA to be elected as president.

List of presidents of the Gaelic Athletic Association

PortraitNameName in IrishTerm of officeCounty1. Maurice DavinMuiris Ó Daimhín18841887 Tipperary2.Edward BennetÉamonn Mac Beinéid18871888 Clare Maurice Davin(2nd term)Muiris Ó Daimhín18881889 Tipperary3.Peter KellyPeadar Ó Ceallaigh18891895 Galway4. Frank DineenProinsias Ó Duinnín18951898 Limerick5.Michael Deering18981901 Cork6. James NowlanSéamus Ó Nualláin19011921 Kilkenny7. Daniel McCarthyDónal Mac Cárthaigh19211924 Dublin8.Patrick BreenPádraig Ó Braoin19241926 Wexford9.Liam CliffordLiam Mac Rifeartaigh19261928 Limerick10.Seán RyanSeán Ó Riain19281932 Tipperary11.Seán McCarthySeán Mac Cárthaigh19321935 Cork12.Bob O'KeeffeRoibeard Ó Caoimh19351938 Laois13.Pádraig MacNameePádraig Mac Con Midhe19381943 Antrim14.Séamus GardinerSéamas Gairnéir19431946 Clare15. Daniel O'RourkeDónal Ó Ruairc19461949 Roscommon16.Michael KehoeMícheál Mac Eochaidh19491952 Wexford17.Vincent O'DonoghueUinseann Ó Donnchú19521955 Galway18.Séamus McFerranSéamus Mac Mhearáin19551958 Antrim19.Joseph StuartSeosamh Stíobhard19581961 Clare20.Aodh Ó BroinAodh Ó Broin19611964 Wicklow21.Alf MurrayAlf Ó Muirí19641967 Armagh22.Séamus Ó RiainSéamus Ó Riain19671970 Tipperary23.Pat FanningPádraig Ó Fainín19701973 Waterford24.Donal KeenanDonal Ó Cianáin19731976 Roscommon25.Con MurphyConchur Ó Murchú19761979 Cork26.Paddy McFlynnPádraig Mac Floinn19791982 Down27.Paddy BuggyPáidí Ó Bogaigh19821985 Kilkenny28.Dr Mick LoftusMicheál Ó Lochláin19851988 Mayo29.John DowlingSeán Ó Dúllaing19881991 Offaly30.Peter QuinnPeadar Ó Coinn19911994 Fermanagh31.Jack BoothmanSeáinín Bútman19941997 Wicklow32.Joe McDonaghSeosamh Mac Donnchadha19972000 Galway33.Seán McCagueSeán Mac Thaidhg20002003 Monaghan34. Seán KellySeán Ó Ceallaigh20032006 Kerry35.Nickey BrennanNioclás Ó Braonáin2006President-elect Brennan promises to proceed with 'considerable caution'2009 Kilkenny36.Christy CooneyCríostóir Ó Cuana2009Cooney to be next GAA President2012 Cork37.Liam O'NeillLiam Ó Néill2012O'Neill confirmed as president-elect of the GAALiam O'Neill's rise to GAA President was an appointment 30 years in the making2015 Laois38.Aogán Ó FearghailAogán Ó Fearghail2015Cavan's Aogán Ó'Fearghail will be next GAA president2018 Cavan39. John HoranSeán Ó hÓráinSeanad Éireann debate - Tuesday, 29 Jan 2019: Vol. 263 No. 520182021 Dublin40 Larry McCarthyLabhrás Mac Carthaigh 20212024 New York41Jarlath BurnsIarlaith Ó Broin20242027 Armagh

President's Awards Seán Kelly introduced the President's Awards.

They are awarded annually.

Player–presidents Donal Keenan, Con Murphy, Paddy Buggy, Mick Loftus, Joe McDonagh and Nickey Brennan all won All-Ireland medals as players before becoming president.

John Dowling was with the Tullamore club as a dual player, but at inter-county level his involvement was more as a referee, officiating in five All-Ireland finals.

Peter Quinn played for Teemore in Fermanagh, winning a Junior Football Championship. However, his only involvement with the Fermanagh seniors was in the Dr Lagan Cup and some challenge matches; he was never even included in a championship panel.

Seán McCague played junior club football for most of the time but at inter-county level he was a manager.

Jack Boothman played for the Blessington club.

Liam O'Neill played with the Trumera club at junior level, though featured at senior level on hurling teams while studying at St Pat's and UCD.

Aogán Ó Fearghail played locally for 12 years but won no championship games.

John Horan played for Na Fianna in his late twenties.

The highlight of Larry McCarthy's playing career was winning the 1977–78 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship with Thomond College.

Jarlath Burns made his debut with the Armagh senior team in 1987. Over the course of the following thirteen seasons he had little success; however, the highlight of his career was captaining Armagh to an Ulster title in 1999. Burns also won two McKenna Cup titles.

Statistics ? was the oldest president to enter office, aged ?. ? was the oldest president to leave office, aged ?. Seán Ryan was the youngest president to enter office, aged ?. ? was the youngest president to leave office, aged ?. ?, who died in office, had the shortest presidency of ? days. ?, who resigned, served for ? days. Maurice Davin uniquely served for two terms. James Nowlan is the longest-serving. Pat Fanning was the former president to have survived the longest after serving. Michael Deering was the only president to die in office. Only twice have there been consecutive presidents from the same province: Joseph Stuart (1958) and Aodh Ó Broin (1961) of Leinster and Séamus Ó Riain (1967) and Pat Fanning (1970) of Munster. Leinster had three consecutive presidents from different counties (Kilkenny, Dublin, Wexford) between 1901 and 1926. Munster then had three consecutive presidents from different counties (Limerick, Tipperary, Cork) between 1926 and 1935. Five of the seven Ulster presidents came from north of the border. The other two were Seán McCague (Monaghan) and Aogán Ó Fearghail (Cavan).

By county The following counties have had multiple presidents:

# County Presidents 4 Cork Christy Cooney, Michael Deering, Seán McCarthy, Con Murphy 3 Clare Edward Bennet, Séamus Gardiner, Joseph Stuart Galway Peter Kelly, Joe McDonagh, Vincent O'Donoghue Kilkenny Nickey Brennan, Paddy Buggy, James Nowlan Tipperary Maurice Davin, Séamus Ó Riain, Seán Ryan 2 Antrim Séamus McFerran, Pádraig MacNameeArmaghAlf Murray, Jarlath Burns Dublin John Horan, Daniel McCarthy Laois Bob O'Keeffe, Liam O'Neill Limerick Liam Clifford, Frank Dineen Roscommon Donal Keenan, Dan O'Rourke Wicklow Jack Boothman, Aodh Ó Broin

By province Province Presidents Top county Most recent 1 Munster 14 Cork (4) Christy Cooney (Cork) 2 Leinster 12 Kilkenny (3) John Horan (Dublin) 3 Ulster 8 Antrim/Armagh (2) Jarlath Burns (Armagh) 4 Connacht 6 Galway (3) Joe McDonagh (Galway) 5 Overseas 1 New York (1) Larry McCarthy (New York)

References