Cumann na mbunscol

What is Cumann na mBunscol?

History:

Cumann na mBunscol was set up in 1971 when a group of teachers met after the annual Corn na Casca match between Dublin and Limerick primary schools. They decided to approach some other interested teachers and a meeting was arranged for New Year’s Day, 1971 in Limerick. The attendance on that day included, Tom Garry who was to be Runai for 21 years, Peadar Mac Craith, Martin Kitterick and Pat Guthrie. They decided to explore the possibility of setting up a national body to promote Gaelic games in primary schools. They decided to call the organisation Bord Eadar Cathrach na mBunscol. Later other areas were to join. So the areas involved in Cumann na mBunscol were Dublin, Cork, Thurles, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Clare, Dundalk and Drogheda.

During the first ten years the coiste set about consolidating the organisation and Meath was the only new area to join in that period. Finance was obtained from the G.A.A. and medal sponsorship was got from C.I.E. As a consequence, huge crowds of children travelled all over the country in special trains. Later when A.I.B. took over the sponsorship, only the teams travelled and they usually stayed overnight.

In these early years the AGM was held at a different venue each year and this was a very sociable affair. Of these meetings the one held on the occasion of Sciath na Scol's 75th anniversary in Cork is probably the most memorable. Michael Jackson was in the chair and the delegates were snowbound in Blarney for the weekend.

The A.G.M.'s were always attended by dignitaries from the G.A.A., Church and State. People like Pat Fanning, Paddy McFlynn, Paddy Buggy, Sean O'Siochain, Bishop Tom Morris, Bishop Casey, Jack Lynch and the then Minister for Education Paddy Faulkner. The meeting in Cork was addressed by the legendary Christy Ring. The National A.G.M. was held in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk in 1973 and Hugh O'Hare was then the chairman of Cumann Peile na nOg in Dundalk. He welcomed the delegates and presided over the meeting. In 1975 a sub - committee was elected to formulate a constitution for Bord Eadar Cathrach na mBunscoileanna. The constitution was adopted at the following A.G.M. in 1976, and the main objective of this document was to have an All-Ireland Body with representation from all thirty two counties. The A.G.M. was held in the Rosnaree Hotel, Drogheda in 1981. That meeting will always be remembered because of the great tragedy in the Stardust on Friday 14th February, Valentine’s night. The meeting was attended by Padraig McFlynn, then President of the G.A.A. and Padraig Faulkner, who was then Ceann Comhairle. Over the next few years Cumann na mBunscol expanded to include all thirty - two counties. History was made at our AGM in Kerry on 28th. February, 2004 when the London Primary Schools’ GAA Board became affiliated to Cumann na mBunscol as they were looking for moral support and coaching guidance from our organisation. London was considered as another county and it was grouped with the six counties in Ulster for insurance purposes.


Activities:

Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta is now the largest sports organisation within the primary education system in Ireland. All 32 counties have a well organised coiste promoting and organising Gaelic Games for the primary schools in their counties. Boys' and girls' football, hurling and camogie, handball and rounders are the games promoted by each County Coiste.

The McDonald’s Skills’ Competition was introduced in March, 2003. It commenced with the Catch & Kick competition and the Lift & Strike competition was introduced the following year. Some counties also organise athletics, quizzes and other projects of a G.A.A./Educational content e.g. the Roadstone Awards.

Roadstone Provinces Ltd. have been sponsoring the Roadstone Awards since 1998. Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta is greatly indebted to Michael Grogan ( Managing Director, Roadstone ) for their generous sponsorship of these prestigious awards. The Roadstone Awards provides opportunities for counties to display their work and they receive tangible rewards for their efforts. The Roadstone Banquet enables counties to meet with other counties and it’s gratifying to see 300 guests in attendance at these awards. Her Excellency, President McAleese attended the Roadstone Awards Banquet in the Berkeley Court Hotel, Dublin on Saturday, 7th. December, 2002 and it was a tremendous occasion. An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern attended the Roadstone Awards Banquet the following year and it was a resounding success. On 27th. November, 2004 the Minister for Education & Science, Mary Hanafin T.D. was Guest of Honour and she was well received by all present.

Most County Coiste are also involved in the organisation of summer camps, seminars, coaching courses and many counties are also involved in inter-county matches at primary schools’ level in conjunction with senior inter-county championship matches at provincial level. The "Primary Game" played before championship matches in Munster has become very successful.

Provincial Councils:

There is also a provincial coiste of Cumann na mBunscol in every province. The Coisti were set up in 1991 to liaise with the provincial councils and they have become very successful and influential especially in generating finance to help county coisti with their development. The organising of seminars for female teachers particularly in Leinster have been very successful and the format followed by Leinster has now been adopted by other provinces. With the high ratio of female teachers in the educational system, this initiative has been of great benefit to Cumann na mBunscol. Provincial Coisti are also involved in development seminars promoting especially the weaker game in the counties in their province. If problems arise within counties, the Provincial Coisti together with the National Committee use their expertise to successfully solve the problem.


Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta:

At National level there are two General Meetings each year. The A.G.M. in February/March and a General Meeting in September. These meetings are attended by two delegates from each county and provincial coisti. For the rest of the year, the National Committee carries out the work given to it by the A.G.M. The committee meets monthly. The members of the National Committee have regular meetings with the G.A.A. and they administer the Mini - Sevens which culminates each year in the now familiar exhibition games at half - time in the All-Ireland semi-finals and Finals. They also have meetings with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and other educational bodies to help promote our games within the educational system. They obtain finance from the G.A.A., Department of Sport and they negotiate sponsorship. The current committee have negotiated a lucrative sponsorship deal with Allianz at a national level. Members of the National Committee also attend the A.G.M in many counties. They attend seminars throughout the county and sit on many sub-committees. They strive to progress the aims and objectives of Cumann na mBunscol at all times.