After the Storm: How the GAA Found Hope Beyond the Pandemic

Description

This is the incredible story of how the GAA and its people managed to weather the coronavirus pandemic and re-emerge to fight another day.

On St Patrick's Day 2020, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland was locking down. Our lives, purpose and favourite pastime as Irish people - meeting each other - stopped overnight.

Throughout that dark time, the GAA was at the centre of the country's fightback against covid-19. From the start, thousands of volunteers delivered food and medicine to vulnerable neighbours and friends during lockdown. Croke Park and other major stadia transformed into testing centres; the Association went online to keep people connected and became a beacon of hope.

As the Association itself faced financial ruin, its members had their own life and death struggles to contend with. Niall Murphy, of Antrim GAA, was in a coma for sixteen days fighting the virus, and camogie player Marianne Walsh spent her cancer recovery amid strict lockdowns, only dreaming of one day playing for her club again. Hurler Domhnall Nugent battled intense isolation as he recovered from addiction issues. And when championships were shut down after celebrations threatened the association's reputation, uncertainty hung in the air.

But through it all, GAA people rallied. Their stories, and the story of the GAA itself, now need to be told.

Product Details

PAPERBACK

Published: 8 June 2023
Format: 198x129mm, paperback
Extent: 320 pages + 8pp picture section
ISBN: 9781785304668

TRADE PAPERBACK

Published: 29 September 2022
Format: 234x153mm, paperback
Extent: 320 pages + 8pp picture section
ISBN: 9781785304118

Pre-Order Information

Dispatch Information:

Your book will be dispatched before the publication date (06/06/2023). Please allow up to 7 working days after this for delivery.

Address Updates:

If you need to update your delivery address, please contact us before 23/05/2023 by emailing sales@blackandwhitepublishing.com. If we have not confirmed your change of address by 25/05/2023, please do contact us again. Address updates after 25/05/2023 cannot be accommodated.

Cancellation Policy:

If you wish to cancel your order, please contact sales@blackandwhitepublishing.com before 23/05/2023. Order cancellations after this date cannot be accommodated, and will be subject to our Returns Policy.

Other Information:

This book is currently available for delivery to the UK only.

Your payment will be taken upon ordering.

Any requests to personalise, sign or dedicate copies cannot be accommodated.

Black & White Publishing shall use its best endeavours to fulfil all copies as ordered within the timescale specified but where the failure to do so is caused by something outside its reasonable control, including but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, pandemic, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure, the Publishers shall only be obliged to supply a first edition copy at a time when such product is available. If the Publishers are unable to supply a copy of the book, on or before 04/10/2023, then the customer may request a full refund.

The Publishers reserve the right to make reasonable amends to these Terms and Conditions from time to time, at their sole discretion.

For any queries with your order, please contact sales@blackandwhitepublishing.com.

About the Author

Damian Lawlor is a bestselling author and sports broadcaster with RTÉ. He comes from Kilruane in County Tipperary and lives with his family in Naas, County Kildare.

Reviews

'Through compelling stories, this is a rich, valuable and uniquely Irish account of a global health emergency.'  Dr Tony Holohan, Former Irish CMO

'A terrific idea exploring an extraordinary time in all our lives through the power of the GAA community. An absolute triumph.'  Vincent Hogan, Irish Independent

'A brilliant read. From extraordinary acts of kindness and decency to the pain of loss, this book tells vivid tales of how GAA members lived through a brutal pandemic.'  Paul Rouse, Professor of History, UCD