About the book
A provocative look at how grassroots GAA interacts with life in Ireland, from the wittiest Gaelic games pundit at work today
The GAA is Ireland's largest civil society organisation, woven into the fabric of families and communities - and yet most books about Gaelic games focus on the greatest players and inter-county teams. This is the Life is a book about the 99%: a witty and provocative look at grassroots GAA from the most intelligent and interesting Gaelic games pundit at work today.
Ciarán Murphy - of Second Captains and the Irish Times - has an unmatched feel for the timeless elements of this world and a finger on the pulse of change. He looks at the plight of rural clubs that are losing their players to the cities - and he does so not only as a journalist but as a footballer who made the same move himself. He writes about working as an assistant in the clothing shop owned by the family of Jarlath Fallon - both Ciarán's sporting hero and the local postman. And he looks a things we usually prefer not to talk about, like the role of social class in the GAA.
This is the Life is a book about the places the GAA comes from, the places it can take a person, and the things that make a local club worth fighting for.
'There is a deep understanding of the way the GAA works at every level … a brilliant read from start to finish’ Paul Rouse, The Irish Examiner
Editions of This is the Life
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781844886326
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241997697
- EBook
- ISBN 9781844886333
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781844886777
Read an Excerpt
A provocative look at how grassroots GAA interacts with life in Ireland, from the wittiest Gaelic games pundit at work today
The GAA is Ireland's largest civil society organisation, woven into the fabric of families and communities - and yet most books about Gaelic games focus on the greatest players and inter-county teams. This is the Life is a book about the 99%: a witty and provocative look at grassroots GAA from the most intelligent and interesting Gaelic games pundit at work today.
Ciarán Murphy - of Second Captains and the Irish Times - has an unmatched feel for the timeless elements of this world and a finger on the pulse of change. He looks at the plight of rural clubs that are losing their players to the cities - and he does so not only as a journalist but as a footballer who made the same move himself. He writes about working as an assistant in the clothing shop owned by the family of Jarlath Fallon - both Ciarán's sporting hero and the local postman. And he looks a things we usually prefer not to talk about, like the role of social class in the GAA.
This is the Life is a book about the places the GAA comes from, the places it can take a person, and the things that make a local club worth fighting for.
'There is a deep understanding of the way the GAA works at every level … a brilliant read from start to finish’ Paul Rouse, The Irish Examiner
Frequently Asked Questions
What is This is the Life about?
A provocative look at how grassroots GAA interacts with life in Ireland, from the wittiest Gaelic games pundit at work today
The GAA is Ireland's largest civil society organisation, woven into the fabric of families and communities - and yet most books about Gaelic games focus on the greatest players and inter-county teams. This is the Life is a book about the 99%: a witty and provocative look at grassroots GAA from the most intelligent and interesting Gaelic games pundit at work today.
Ciarán Murphy - of Second Captains and the Irish Times - has an unmatched feel for the timeless elements of this world and a finger on the pulse of change. He looks at the plight of rural clubs that are losing their players to the cities - and he does so not only as a journalist but as a footballer who made the same move himself. He writes about working as an assistant in the clothing shop owned by the family of Jarlath Fallon - both Ciarán's sporting hero and the local postman. And he looks a things we usually prefer not to talk about, like the role of social class in the GAA.
This is the Life is a book about the places the GAA comes from, the places it can take a person, and the things that make a local club worth fighting for.
'There is a deep understanding of the way the GAA works at every level … a brilliant read from start to finish’ Paul Rouse, The Irish Examiner
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in This is the Life?
Society and Social Sciences > Sociology and anthropology > Sociology > Sociology: sport and leisure
Where can I read a sample of This is the Life?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781844886326
Who is/are the Author/s of the book This is the Life?
Ciarán Murphy
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
This is the Life is available as paperback(ISBN 9781844886326) and paperback(ISBN 9780241997697) and ebook(ISBN 9781844886333) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781844886777)
Where can I buy This is the Life online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy This is the Life from below
Where can I buy This is the Life?