Croke Park should be renamed Cusack Park to mark the centenary of the death of GAA founder Michael Cusack, it was claimed today.
An Post today issued a new postage stamp in honour of the Co Clare teacher who held the first meeting of the organisation in Hayes' Hotel, Thurles in 1884.
New postage stamp of GAA founder Michael Cusack
Cusack's biographer Brother Sean McNamara said the GAA founder remains a forgotten figure and renaming GAA HQ after him would be a fitting tribute.
"Ireland without the GAA is unimaginable. It has changed the face of Irish society and continues to go from strength to strength," said Brother McNamara.
"It is a multi-million euro business now and hurling and football are played in hundreds of clubs in Ireland and around the world.
"But Cusack has received very little credit by the GAA establishment — the first monument was only erected to him 40 years after his death. Renaming Croke Park would be an appropriate way to ensure his name and legacy lives on," added Bro McNamara who published The Man from Carron biography of Cusack earlier this year.
Croke Park which has a capacity of over 80,000 was been named after Archbishop Thomas Croke in 1913.
An Post's 48 cent stamp features a portrait of a bearded Cusack by artist Thomas Ryan. Cusack's name appears in English and Irish to represent his love for the Irish language.
Last week An Post issued a 48 cent stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of Ronnie Delany's gold medal win in the 1500m at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Stamps in coming months will mark the 25th anniversary of the National Concert Hall, the Ryder Cup, Irish Folk Music and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.
PA