DJM Read the following article frae this link …It is self explanatory and gives very sound reasons not to think it immature or reactionary…
http://www.premierview.ie/rule_21mulcair2.htm
As one of the great monolithic organisations of this country, the GAA is rarely short of critics or controversies, but probably the most emotive and enduring controversy that affects the GAA is the so-called rule 21. This rule is stated in the GAA Official Guide in the area covering membership of the association. Rather than generally comment on the content of a rule with which most people are familiar, it is perhaps more appropriate to state the rule in its exact terminology; “Members of the British armed forces and police shall not be eligible for membership of the Association. A member of the Association participating in dances, or similar entertainment, promoted by or under the patronage of such bodies, shall incur suspension of at least twelve weeks”.
Two other definitions are worth noting before delving further into the rule 21 argument. One is the stated “Basic Aim” of the GAA – “The Association is a National organisation which has as its basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 county Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes”. The other one which might be considered pertinent to this debate is the GAA’s stated position in “rule 8” – (a) The Association shall be non-party political. Party political questions shall not be discussed at its meetings, and no Committee, Club, Council or representative thereof shall take part, as such, in any party political movement. A penalty of up to twenty-four weeks suspension may be imposed for infringement. (b) The Association shall be non-sectarian. Perhaps the key thing to take out of this rule is that the GAA considers itself “non-party political”. It clearly does not deny itself the right to express opinions on political matters. It simply does not associate itself with any political party or organisation.
The GAA was founded during one of the most volatile periods of modern Irish history, as the national question came to the fore in political circles. In terms of mobilising the masses for future national requirements, the foundation of the GAA was very significant at this time, and the association itself was ideally positioned to benefit from the national mood. This “mood” was very much for quenching the huge English influence that had pervaded the country for many years. On day one, in keeping with the atmosphere that prompted its foundation, the new association excluded from membership, policemen, soldiers, and other people associated with “Britishness”. This anti-British stance would simply have been in keeping with the motives that influenced virtually any other organisation that was founded in rural Ireland around this time. Of course, as time passed, the GAA and the Irish Republican Brotherhood - if not quite being “inextricably linked” - shared huge mutual membership, and the GAA became a “breeding ground” where many of those who subsequently were huge players on the national question, first cut their organisational teeth.
It is remarkable that 117 years later, despite huge political changes, this rule is still such a source of controversy. Indeed some would suggest that the remarkable thing is that the rule still exists at all. Others would no doubt suggest that it is remarkable that the rule is still “required”! The infamous “Ban” i.e. the prohibition on GAA members playing or promoting sports considered quintessentially British, had been dropped at times by the GAA, before its final deletion in 1971, but despite affecting less “GAA people” this rule banning “British armed forces and police” from membership is still with us.
Given the nature of things when the GAA was founded, and indeed for the best part of 40 years after, there was a very obvious justification for this rule. The attention and suspicion from the Dublin Castle authorities, which surrounded both the GAA and the IRB, was ample cause to beware of anyone sympathetic to the British point of view. Of course, the GAA as an organisation itself -with its 32 county ethos - was automatically in conflict with the British anyway, so naturally it was hardly advisable to allow those who were “hostile” to infiltrate the association’s ranks. Many years have passed since this could be considered a reasonable interpretation of the situation, at least in the majority of the GAA’s strongholds ; although some GAA members in the six counties might justifiably argue that this reality has not changed for them over the years. Nevertheless, the question is continually being asked - even within the GAA - as to how the retention of rule 21 can be justified.
and a bit more…
From the History of the GAA
http://www.roundtower.ie/History/History_of_the_GAA.htm
1918
The gaa proscribed as a dangerous organisation by Dublin Castle. Gaelic Sunday becomes a day of massive national defiance of the defence of the realm act.
There ye go DJM I hope that clarifies a bit more ,and I am sure ye can see why at the time it was felt so important and why I think to dismiss it as “ridiculous and infamous” is quite offensive,not only to the GAA but to the Rebublic itself…and as a Citizen of the Republic I take offence at such ill thought out blandishements..
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam
:roll: