Sam Maguire to make its way to iconic Mayo museum

The Michael Davitt Museum in Straide, County Mayo, celebrates the life and legacy of Michael Davitt (1846 1906) founder of the Irish National Land League, social reformer, international activist, and one of the founding patrons of the GAA.

On Monday, November 16, at 3pm, Michael Davitt’s great grandson and Curator Margaret Keane will receive the Sam Maguire Cup into the museum to celebrate the 2026 win and pay homage to Michael Davitt’s historical connection with the GAA as one of its founding patrons.

This event will bring together a legacy of GAA Davitt named GAA clubs including local Straide and Foxford Moy Davitts,

Ballindine and Irishtown Davitts GAA, Belfast Davitts, Derry’s Michael Davitts, GAC Swatragh, Carlow’s Michael Davitts GAA. They represent some of the many clubs that bear his name as a tribute and legacy for his contribution to GAA.

Situated in the historic village of Straide, Co. Mayo, where Michael Davitt was born, and is buried, the museum tells the story of one of Ireland’s most legendary figures. Davitt was a Land Agitator, a Fenian, an Author, a Journalist, a Patron of the G.A.A. and Celtic Football Club, and an International Humanitarian.

Davitt was one of three founding patrons of the GAA in 1884, along with Dr. Thomas William Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, and Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, but the only one consulted in advance of the establishment of the Association by its founder, Michael Cusack.

In 1888 the GAA sent a group of fifty Irish GAA players to tour America and draw up support and membership for the organisation, what became known as ‘The American Invasion’. However, due to financial constraints they were unable to return home. Davitt provided what was initially to be a loan of £450 to cover the losses incurred by the tour and never sought repayment, thus allowing the GAA to remain afloat at a critical period in its development. Davitt also wrote the preface to the GAA rule book in that year and publicised GAA activities and results in his weekly newspaper, The Labour World.

Davitt believed that Gaelic games helped strengthen Irish identity and bring communities together. He supported the GAA in its early years and encouraged the promotion of native Irish sports at a time when Irish culture was undergoing a revival. He also helped ensure that the Association remained focused on sport and community rather than becoming divided by political differences.

Davitt recognised that the GAA could unite people from every walk of life through a shared love of Irish games. The Michael Davitt Museum is located in the village of Straide, a short drive from the county town of Castlebar. The collection is housed in the magnificently restored pre-penal church in which Davitt was baptised and the museum is adjacent to the 13 th century Straide Friary. The collection reflects Davitt’s diverse range of national and international achievements in an awe-inspiring tale of triumph over adversity told by passionate, knowledgeable guides at the museum which opens Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

Location: Michael Davitt Museum, Straide, County Mayo, F26 FX37

Time: 3pm to 4.30pm

Outline: Short speeches from Margaret Keane (Curator), Michael Davitt, Mayo GAA and LGFA, Club representatives and others.

Photo opportunities with Sam, collection of Davitt Club members/Jerseys and Davitt Family members.