10 Towns in Ireland That Love GAA More Than Anywhere Else

If you’re in any of these ten towns, you’ll know it’s GAA or bust!

The Gaelic Athletic Association, or GAA as it’s commonly known, is Ireland’s largest sporting organisation.

Its two main sports, Gaelic football and hurling, have grown and evolved since the GAA’s inception in 1884 to the point that in some towns in Ireland, the GAA isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life.

With the All-Ireland finals played in front of capacity crowds at the 82,300-capacity Croke Park Stadium, Dublin, and reaching global TV audiences of over one million, the GAA runs deep across Ireland, but check out the ten towns where the GAA runs the deepest.

Just don’t be caught wearing a Galway shirt in Castlebar!

10. Cashel, Co. Tipperary – castles and the GAA

While not boasting an All-Ireland-winning club, Cashel is a hurling stronghold. The Cashel King Cormacs are the sporting heartbeat of the town. Who knows, maybe an All-Ireland victory isn’t too far-fetched for this GAA-loving town.

9. Athenry, County Galway – low lie the fields, but not the GAA

Athenry is known for the famous song bearing its name, but also for hurling greatness thanks to the local club, St. Mary’s. Having won three All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championships, St Mary’s have made Athenry one of the biggest GAA towns in western Ireland. 

8. Kilcoo, County Down – small village to All-Ireland winners

Kilcoo Owen Roes is the most successful football club in County Down.

Winning the All-Ireland Title in 2022 was the pinnacle, while they also boast 25 provincial titles, meaning this tiny village of just under 500 inhabitants has consistently ranked among the strongest club football teams in Ireland.  

7. Ballyhale, County Kilkenny – the home of success

While having a population of only a few hundred people, Ballyhale Shamrocks are the most successful club in All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship history, with nine All-Ireland titles. If you don’t love the GAA in Ballyhale, expect some strange looks.

6. Portlaoise, County Laois – dual code capital

Portlaoise is a “dual code” stronghold and one of the biggest and most successful GAA clubs in the midlands, winning numerous county titles in both football and hurling.

The club’s long history of success has made Portlaoise a town that seriously loves the GAA. There are some great pubs to check out in Portlaoise if you’re visiting.

5. Castlebar, County Mayo – unrequited love since 1951

Castlebar is the epicentre of Mayo’s passionate Gaelic football following and home to MacHale Park, one of the largest GAA stadiums outside Dublin.

However, despite the GAA’s popularity in Castlebar, a curse is said to have been put upon the Mayo football team dating from the 1950s.

Perhaps this is the real reason they have entered the record books by losing every single one of their 11 final appearances since their last victory in 1951?

4. Corofin, County Galway – tiny population but big love for the GAA

Corofin, despite its tiny population, is a town that loves the GAA, and with good reason; they have five All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championships to their name and 23 County titles. Not bad for a population of under 800.   

3. Crossmaglen, County Armagh – giants of GAA

With a population of under 2,000, the town of Crossmaglen shouldn’t have such a successful Gaelic football team.

Yet it does; Crossmaglen Rangers, and they are one of the most successful, winning six All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championships and 58 provincial titles. The town may be small in size, but Crossmaglen is a giant in the GAA.

2. Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny – the spiritual capital of hurling

Considered the spiritual capital of hurling, Kilkenny is a heavyweight of hurling, holding a record 36 All-Ireland Senior Hurling titles.

In a county with a population of just over 100,000, Kilkenny can attract crowds of over 20,000 for major championship games. Heavyweight. It’s worth checking out Kilkenny Castle on your visit, too.

1. Thurles, County Tipperary – the birthplace of GAA

Thurles is the birthplace of the GAA. If that wasn’t enough, it is home to the 45,690 capacity Semple Stadium, the second largest stadium in the GAA, as well as the Thurles Sarsfields, who are the most honoured club in the county, with 36 Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship titles.

Basically, if you’re from Thurles, you love the GAA.

Befriend the locals – Google the local rivalry

If you’re visiting any of these towns on match day, do some research on who’s playing who. That way, you can share a pint and the craic with the locals without attracting funny looks. Oh, and make sure you’ve Googled who the local rivals are, you don’t want to drop a clanger in the pub!