Joe Martin

Joe Martin talks about his lifelong involvement with the Gaelic Athletic Association and how his involvement has changed at different stages of his life. He begins by talking about his personal involvement as a child and what it was like being raised in a GAA mad household. His father had a role in the establishment of the Carrickmore team in 1932 and Joe and his brother, Michael, were taking part in the team from a young age. Joe also took part in the GAA beyond being a player in roles such as refereeing, being a county chairman, and as a historian. Joe researched the history of the GAA in Tyrone and wrote a book on the subject for the centennial celebration of the GAA. He talks about his difficulties in finding early history in County Tyrone but also about how much he learned and enjoyed the experience. Joe also talks about the people who he interviewed and relays story that he heard from many of the interviewees. He gives many personal opinions about things such as women in the GAA and the role of the GAA during The Troubles.