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MICHAEL DAVITT was born in Straide on 25th March, 1846. He was the
founder of the Land League, social reformer, GAA patron, he was County
Mayo's most famous son and one of Ireland's greatest patriots. Davitt,
best-known for his role in the Irish National Land League, was a founding
patron of the GAA and played a very active role in its formative years.
He called for the revival of the Tailteann Games and urged a grand
national festival of the Celtic people in sport, music, poetry, oratory
and other kindred accomplishments. In 1890 in Dublin, Davitt said
of the GAA:
"This great organisation has conferred many benefits
upon the muscle and manhood of Ireland and not the least amongest
them was that of teaching the young men of Ireland their own laws
in their own games -if we can make our own laws in relation to
our pastimes, we can make our own laws in more serious matters."
This statement demonstrates Davitt's ability to create a common
bond between the "national question and a range of other diverse
issues. Michael Davitt died in Dublin on 30th May, 1906. He was
laid to rest in Straide less than 1km from where he was born. In
1983 a national Memorial Museum and Centre was opened in honour
of Michael Davitt at Straide.
By Caitlin Ni Cainin
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