Abstracts on Organisations - 'G'

Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
The GAA was founded in 1884 to promote those sports which were indigenous to Ireland. At the same time the aim was to discourage British influence on sporting and other cultural aspects of life in Ireland. Hence there was, at one time, a rule in the GAA rulebook that forbid members from playing 'foreign' games such as cricket and soccer. A recent controversy involving the GAA concerned 'Rule 21' which prohibited members of the (British) security forces, such as the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), from joining any GAA club. The GAA held a special congress in Dublin on 17 November 2001 and following a debate voted to remove Rule 21 from its rulebook. Approximately 80 per cent of the delegates voted to remove the rule. Among the six counties in Northern Ireland, County Down voted to drop the rule while the other five counties voted to retain the rule. A number of members of the GAA have been killed by Loyalist paramilitary organisations and some members have been killed in disputed circumstances by the security forces. The British Army (BA) also occupied part of the grounds of Crossmaglen Rangers Gaelic Football Club. Despite competition from soccer the most popular sport in Ireland remains Gaelic football. Hurling - a fast and physical field sport played with a ball and hurling sticks - is also very popular in Ireland.
[Web Site]

Garda Síochána (Irish for 'Guardians of the Peace')
synonyms: An Garda Síochána; Irish Police
An Garda Síochána - Ireland's National Police Service - has its headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The general direction, management and control of An Garda Síochána is the responsibility of the Commissioner, who is appointed by the Government. He is responsible to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who in turn is accountable to the Dáil (the Irish Legislature). During the conflict nine Garda Síochána officers were killed.
[Web Site]

Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC)
The Garvaghy Road Residents Group (later the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition; GRRC) was formed by Nationalists in Portadown in 1995. The main aim of the group was to highlight what they saw as the provocative nature of Orange Order marches along the Garvaghy Road. The group has held protests at Orange parades and attempted to have the marches, mainly the Drumcree church parade and the Twelfth feeder parades, re-routed.
(See: Section on parades.)

Give Innocent Victims Equality (GIVE)
An orgainsation set up to support victims of the conflict.
(xx)
(See: Details on vicitims organisations.)

Glebe House
(See: Harmony Community Trust.)

Glencree Centre for Reconciliation (GCR)
The group was formed in 1974 to try to improve relations between the Republic of Ireland and its neighbours in particular Northern Ireland. Glencree provides facilities for individuals and groups who wish to explore issues of conflict resolution and prejudice reduction.

Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC)
The Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) was one of a number of residents groups set up, in nationalist areas across Northern Ireland, to protest at loyal order parades. GARC was established in 2009 following violence after an Orange Order parade passed along the Crumlin Road close to Ardoyne. The GARC appeared to be opposed to Sinn Féin and it was reported in the media that it was aligned with dissident republicans; a claim it denied. GARC appeared to have been established as an alternative to the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA).

"The Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective was established in 2009 in response to Loyal Order Parades being forced through our community. That regularly cause militarised curfews, inevitable rioting, negative community tensions and the demonisation of Ardoyne residents. The primary function of G.A.R.C. is to properly represent the opinion of greater Ardoyne and prevent future secterian marches. No Parades - No Violence".
Blog entry by GARC, (downloaded 22 August 2012).

[Web Site]

[Entry added by Martin Melaugh, August 2012]

The Green Party (GP)
Formerly The Green Party of Northern Ireland and the Ecology Party. The party was launched on 12 February 1990 by Peter Doran but is now led by Dr. John Barry. The party is mainly concerned with environmental issues and has close links with other Green parties especially in the Republic of Ireland, and Britain.
[Web Site]

Notes:
(xx)     Indicates that an entry is being prepared.
(?)     Information is a best estimate while awaiting an update.
(??)     Information is doubtful and is awaiting an update.
[Main Entry]     Indicates that a longer separate entry is planned in the future.

For related and background information see also:

• The list of acronyms associated with 'the Troubles'.
• The glossary of terms related to the conflict.
• The biographies of people who were prominent during 'the Troubles'.
• The chronology of the conflict.

Sources:
The information in the abstracts has been compiled from numerous primary and secondary sources. The best general sources for additional information are:

• Crozier, Maurna., and Sanders, Nicholas. (eds.) (1992) Cultural Traditions Directory for Northern Ireland. Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University.
• Dunn, Seamus., and Dawson, Helen. (2000) An Alphabetical Listing of Word, Name and Place in Northern Ireland. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
• Elliott, Sydney., and Flackes, W.D. (1999) Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, 1968-1999. Belfast: Blackstaff Press.
• Hinds, Joe. (1994), A Guide to Peace, Reconciliation and Community Relations Projects in Ireland. Belfast: Community Relations Council.