Newly elected GAA President Jarlath Burns has reiterated his desire to see the organisation play a more active role in the united Ireland debate.
On Friday evening, the Silverbridge man was elected the new President of the GAA, a role which he will take over when incumbent President Larry McCarthy's reign is over in 2024.
Burns has in the past spoken of his desire to see the GAA play a more active role in helping a united Ireland come to fruition. After his election on Friday, he reiterated this stance that the GAA should not be afraid to take part in the united Ireland debate.
“I have taken a back seat in all of those debates because I felt that I am going to be representing the GAA. As I said in there (Congress floor) we have to do it very responsibly and in a way that takes consideration of the inclusive nature of the Association," Burns said after his election.
“In the climate where there would be a border poll called, it would be incumbent on all civic organisations to take a position on it and it wouldn’t be shock therapy to anybody to hear that the GAA, which have always ignored partition very honourably, would want to see a united Ireland.
“That is my dream and it is not a subversive dream to have. It is a very valid perspective, particularly in the context of Brexit. But we would have to do it very responsibly."
"If you look even at the last independence referendum in Scotland, both Celtic and Rangers, two big sporting organisations in that country, took a position on independence.
“I don’t think it would be unreasonable of us to say that we would want to see our land united because even practically it doesn’t work, partition.”
These comments shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that has followed Burns' career over the last few years.
Just a few weeks ago, Armagh's Ulster winning captain of 1999 appeared on BBC's GAA Social podcast to speak about the GAA and it's role in society in Northern Ireland.
During the chat, Burns admitted that he had a sincere interest and curiosity in British culture and unionism, and that he wanted the GAA to play a more active role in helping a united Ireland come to fruition.
Furthermore, the President elect stated that he would be willing to 'compromise' and not have Amhrán na bhFiann be played before GAA games as a way to help make a united Ireland a reality.
"If we show in our organisation that we have sympathy and an understanding for the culture of the Protestant people in Northern Ireland, maybe when we ask them to respect our culture, they will," said Burns.
"It can’t be our culture and nobody else’s. There is a significant British population who reside on this part of Ireland and they feel under siege."
"And they are misunderstood in many respects. And they become outraged and furious about a very many stuff because they feel their backs are against the wall.
"Because we are becoming a majority, we cannot do 'yahoo! what we want now with our flag and anthem. The GAA is a good example of how you do those things sensitively. We are proud to be Irish. The flag is my flag; it’s not everybody’s flag.
"I would be open to a situation in a new Ireland that wants to be fully inclusive of all traditions and faiths that it may be a compromise we have to make."
"It may be a compromise that we have to make and it wouldn't be a very big one for the big prize of having a united Ireland, which would be a dream for me."
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