Columns - Irish Examiner

Paul Rouse

Paul Rouse is an historian, author, broadcaster… and former Offaly football boss. He specialises in sport and Irish culture.

Wrestling with the early rules of Gaelic football

Paul Rouse takes a look at the evolution of Gaelic football.

Fri, 20 Jan, 2017

Sport: Cartoons redrawn on grass

Little in this world is as clearly defined as sport: Winners and losers, heroes and villains, feelings of life and death. There is too often no perspective, no sense of balance, no tomorrows.

Fri, 30 Dec, 2016

Cúpla focal can go a long, long way in GAA circles

Tarraing uirri, a Sheaghain. Tharraing erry a hyawn. Draw on it Jack.

Fri, 23 Dec, 2016

Dark clouds still surround Sky’s deal with the GAA

What the Sky deal actually did was significantly increase the costs for Irish emigrants in Britain who wish to watch Gaelic Games, writes Paul Rouse

Fri, 16 Dec, 2016

What is the GAA’s relationship with Irish national identity?

The general bemusement that has flowed from GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghaíl’s comments on the possibility of the Irish national anthem and the tricolour no longer being used at GAA matches is understandable, writes Paul Rouse

Fri, 09 Dec, 2016

The tall tale of how the Irish really invented rugby

Does it matter if people make up their own history? 

Fri, 02 Dec, 2016

Down Under turned game on its head

The announcement this week that the GAA will send a team of its best players to Australia to play International Rules against a team of Australian footballers in 2017 marks 50 years of engagement between the two sports.

Fri, 25 Nov, 2016

When Ireland’s Tailteann Games eclipsed the Olympics

What difference does a century make in the life of a nation? asks Paul Rouse

Fri, 18 Nov, 2016

Ethics take a back seat when winning post is in sight

Every year in Trinity College Dublin, John Scally, a lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religions, organises a conference on the ethics of sport, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 11 Nov, 2016

Freedom machines: How Ireland embraced cycling

For 150 years Irish people have used bicycles to live, work, compete, love, fight, to have fun. During this time the bicycle has changed people’s lives and this change has been dramatic, writes Paul Rouse.

Fri, 28 Oct, 2016