How to Join a GAA Club in Ireland

What is the GAA?

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is one of the largest amateur sporting organisations in the world, with over 500,000 members in Ireland alone. It organises Gaelic football, hurling, camogie (women's hurling), and handball. But the GAA is much more than sports — it's a community organisation at the core of Irish life, with clubs in almost every parish in the country.

Who can join?

Anyone can join a GAA club, regardless of nationality, background, or ability level. The GAA has a strong tradition of welcoming newcomers to Ireland, and many clubs actively recruit new members from diverse communities. You do not need to have played Gaelic sports before — most clubs run beginner or social sessions.

Finding your local club

Use the club finder on gaa.ie to locate clubs near you. There are over 2,000 clubs in Ireland — the chances are there's one within a mile or two of where you live. In cities, there may be several clubs, some of which focus on specific communities (e.g. clubs that run sessions specifically for new arrivals).

Costs

Annual membership of a GAA club typically costs €30–€100 for adults. Many clubs offer reduced or free membership for new arrivals or for those on low incomes — worth asking about when you make contact. Training sessions, pitch fees, and kit are usually included in the membership.

Beyond sport

Many GAA clubs are fully community hubs — they host social events, céilís (traditional dances), fundraisers, and youth programmes. Even if you're not sporty, getting involved with your local club's social events is a great way to meet people and get a feel for the local community.

Women's Gaelic games

The Ladies' Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and the Camogie Association run women's sports separately from the main GAA, though many clubs are integrated. Both organisations have been growing rapidly and there are clubs across the country for all ability levels.