Former President of Ireland Dr. Mary McAleese has been officially announced as Honorary Patron of the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre, the birthplace of the founder of the GAA.
Accepting the title at a ceremony in Carron today, Dr. McAleese — a regular visitor to the popular North Clare visitor attraction — said she was “honoured to be Patron of the place which holds Cusack’s memory.”
Dr. McAleese, who is the independent Chairperson of the integration process between the Camogie Association, the GAA, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, described Michael Cusack as someone who “navigated a path to hope and planted it in every part of this island.”
The ceremony was also attended by the Chairpersons of Clare GAA, Munster GAA, Connacht GAA and Ulster GAA; representatives of Clare County Council, the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, Visit Clare and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS); students of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg Inis and Carron National School; and members of the local community.
Dr. McAleese departed Carron as the inaugural passenger of The Burren and Cliffs Explorer, a new hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service linking towns, villages and visitor attractions throughout North and West Clare. Operating as a pilot project until 31 August, the scheduled service will serve landmark attractions such as the Michael Cusack Centre, Burren National Park and the Cliffs of Moher Experience throughout the summer.
Addressing the large crowd in attendance, Dr. McAleese stated: “When I was asked in 2011 why I wanted the late Queen Elizabeth to visit Croke Park on her historic State Visit, I said it was because I wanted her to see the best of Ireland — and the GAA is Ireland at its absolute best.
“It is impossible to quantify the phenomenal benefits that the Association and its sister organisations — the LGFA and Camogie Association — have given to us and keep on giving at home and abroad, at club, county, provincial, national and international levels. It is the enduring tie that binds. And it all started in a modest cottage in Carron, County Clare, when Michael Cusack was born and survived the worst year in our history — Black 1847.
“From unlikely beginnings, but with a wonderful love of all sports, he grew a vision for Gaelic games and galvanised the energy in himself and others to begin the Association that has grown to epic proportions, epic success today. When Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, asked me how the Irish experience of community could be replicated, I replied… first copy the GAA. I could not be prouder of this association, especially in this time when the integration of all Gaelic games will soon be a reality.
“What a singular honour it is to be Patron of the place which holds Cusack’s memory, the place where he faced life — and life at its hardest. From here in Carron, he navigated a path to hope and planted it in every part of this island. No Irish person has ever given us such a bountiful legacy — and one that keeps on giving,” added Dr. McAleese.
Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, acknowledged Dr. McAleese’s longstanding support for the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre, which he described as “a beacon for people discovering their roots and for all who seek to understand what it means to be Irish.”
“The naming of Dr. McAleese as Honorary Patron coincides with Lá Bealtaine, a day that offers new beginnings and new possibilities at the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre — a place of deep heritage, identity, and pride for County Clare and for all of Ireland,” he said. “Michael Cusack’s story reminds us of who we are and of the cultural values that bind Irish people at home and abroad together.”
In a video address to the gathering in Carron, GAA President Jarlath Burns said, “Seo céim suntasch eile chun cinn i scéal agus Oidhreacht Mhíchíl Cíosóg. Táimid go mór faoi chomaoin ag an Dr. Máire Mhic Giolla Íosa as a bheith sásta an ról mar Phatrún Oinigh ar an Ionad a ghlacadh.”
Addressing the gathering via video link, GAA President Jarlath Burns said, “. The Michael Cusack Centre in all its authenticity now stands as a living tribute to the vision of Michael Cusack. This Centre honours not only our origins but our evolution. From this soil of suffering grew a spirit of vision pride and extraordinary resilience. Michael Cusack was not only the founder of the GAA, he was and remains its soul.”
Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Chair of the Board of the Michael Cusack Centre, said: “The GAA that Michael Cusack helped to establish in 1884 has since developed a presence in every parish and community in all of Ireland and worldwide. We are proud to play our role in promoting a key element of Ireland’s rich heritage, and we are delighted that Dr. McAleese has joined the Centre as Honorary Patron.”
Carmel Kirby, Interim CEO of Clare County Council, congratulated Dr. McAleese, adding that she shares Michael Cusack’s love for education, Irish culture and sport.
“Everything begins with an idea. Michael Cusack, through his promotion of Gaelic Games, established an Irish sporting and cultural institution. Cusack’s vision began in a classroom, but it lives on in every child who picks up a hurley or football, every supporter who raises a flag, and every community that believes in the power of coming together. Clare County Council is delighted to support the Michael Cusack Centre in its ongoing work on this incredible legacy,” she added.
Congratulating Dr. McAleese, Tim Murphy, Chairperson of Munster GAA, commented:
“The national and international importance of Michael Cusack is deeply profound and highly significant. Michael Cusack’s vision in creating the GAA has left an indelible mark and wonderful legacy across Irish society since 1884. We are delighted to partner with and recommit our support in Munster GAA to the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre as we work together on the pathway to the 150th anniversary of the GAA in 2034 and beyond.”
Kieran Keating, Chairperson Clare GAA, stated, “Clare GAA has supported the development of the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre since the it’s redevelopment back to the 1970s We recommit the ongoing support of Clare GAA to the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre in 2025 and beyond. Congratulations to Dr Mary Mc Aleese in her new role today as the Honorary Patron of the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre.”
Tim Madden, Manager of the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre, said the naming of Dr. McAleese as Honorary Patron coincides with the ongoing development of a new five-year strategic business plan for the attraction.
“We are working closely with our partners — POBAL, GAA Croke Park, Clare GAA, Munster GAA, and Clare County Council — in crafting our road ahead,” he said. “We have delivered the Improving Your Wellbeing workshop programme to 300 post-primary and primary schools and Youthreach groups in Clare and Limerick this spring. Now in its fifth year, we greatly thank Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board for their support. This innovative wellbeing workshop explores identity and values, and how to build resilience in these challenging times.”
“We look forward to working with the National Parks & Wildlife Service on the Burren Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus, which launched today, and in developing and expanding the Cusack Way Walk from the Centre to Cahercommaun Stone Fort,” concluded Mr. Madden.
Michael Davoren, member of the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre Board and community representative, said the Michael Cusack Homestead Cottage and Exhibition Centre has been a very interesting project since the 1970s from a community perspective.
“The Centre is locally significant and globally relevant,” he noted. “The unique landscape and ecosystem here in Carron and in the Burren give a very strong sense of place and pride in place. Here in Poulaphuca, the valley of the Puca, the Samhain Puca Storytelling Festival during Halloween continues to tell the ancient stories which live with us today. We are very much in tune with Nature and with all our farmer colleagues across this unique landscape and in this magical, tranquil setting.”
Guided tours of the Michael Cusack Centre are available each day from 10.00am. Located in the centre of the award-winning Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the visitor attraction features the original Cusack Famine-era cottage, the 6km Cusack Way Walk, a recently developed Fairy Trail and the Púca artwork. The attraction also hosts team-building weekends, wedding ceremonies, and school tours. Visit www.michaelcusack.ie.