A commemorative plaque to the first patron of the GAA was unveiled in Tralee by one of his successors.
Archbishop Thomas William Croke became the first patron of the GAA
after a meeting in Hayes Hotel in Thurles in 1884.
His parents lived in
Tralee during the early part of their marriage and the plaque was
unveiled outside the old family home, which is now a local store.
Speaking at the unveiling the current patron of the GAA and
Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Archbishop Dermot Clifford told the
gathering that although the Crokes later moved on to pastures new, young
Thomas Croke was a regular visitor to Tralee.
Indeed the story of young Bishop Croke is an intriguing one. He was
born in 1824 after his family moved to Ballinclough in North Cork and
the family found it difficult to make ends meet after his father William
died in 1834 leaving his mother to look after eight children.
However a
young Thomas Croke's uncle, Fr Thomas Croke who was PP of Charleville,
looked after the family's welfare and education.
Young Thomas Croke, who was always a gifted sportsman, went on, like
many members of his family, to study for the priesthood at Irish
Colleges in Paris and Rome.
He remained abroad for a number of years becoming Archbishop of
Auckland in New Zealand in 1870 before been appointed Archbishop of
Cashel and Emly in 1875.
However he will forever be remembered for his
acceptance of Michael Cussack's invitation to become the newly formed
GAA's first patron in 1884.
At the time Land League Founder Michael Davitt described Archbishop
Croke's decision as being, “a tower of strength for a young organisation
in its infancy.”
He died on July 22nd 1902 in Thurles aged 78 years.
The commemorative plaque in Tralee was jointly organised by Kerry
Archaeological and Historical Society, Kerry County Committee and Tralee
Town Council.