'Mayo GAA – The Road to Victory': New exhibition in Ballina
As excitement builds ahead of this year's All-Ireland Final between Mayo and Kerry, The Clarke Museum of Irish History is delighted to present a special exhibition, curated Education Co-Ordinator Mike Kelly, celebrating the rich history and proud traditions of Mayo GAA football.
From the great teams and players of the past to today's team carrying the hopes of the county, this exhibition honours the generations who have proudly worn the green and red.
Explore original newspaper reports covering Mayo's historic All-Ireland victories in 1950 and 1951, along with rare photographs of Mayo teams and players from the 1930s and 1950s.
Get up close to some of the most important pieces of Mayo GAA history, including the 1950 All-Ireland Final match-worn jersey of Fr. Peter Quinn, the match ball from Mayo's famous 1951 All-Ireland victory, and two of the rarest items in Mayo GAA history – the Celtic Cross medals won by Fr Peter, together with a selection of medals from his remarkable career.
One item especially impresses Kelly, the Education Co-Ordinator of the museum: The match ball from the 1951 All-Ireland final, that Mayo won against Meath.
“This is a piece of Mayo folklore and we are lucky that it has been kept so well by Behy National School and that they were good enough to loan it to us,” Kelly states, speaking to The Mayo News: “For any Mayo supporter to see something which has taken on almost mythical properties up close is worth the visit alone. There is also a photograph of the crowds which gathered at New York harbour in 1932 to wave off the visiting Mayo team that has to be seen to be believed. If we thought the current Mayo team could gather a crowd, there are thousands there to see of that Mayo team.”
The Jackie Clarke Museum hopes the current Mayo team, and their many supporters, will find inspiration in this celebration of Mayo's proud footballing heritage.
The Clarke Museum of Irish History is extremely grateful to the Quinn family for the loan of Fr. Peter Quinn’s jersey and medals, and also Pat Cunnane, Principal of Behy National School, for the generous loan of the 1951 All-Ireland Final match ball. It is their generosity and support which has helped us bring this special exhibition to life.
Their willingness to share these remarkable pieces of Mayo's sporting history allows visitors to experience this unique heritage up close and ensures these stories continue to inspire future generations.
The exhibition is now open to the public and will remain open until at least the All-Ireland final on Sunday, July 26
Admission is free and everyone is welcome!