Conference to honour GAA hero

THE man who pioneered the development of Croke Park stadium is to be honoured in his native Co Limerick.

Frank B Dineen, one of the earliest presidents of the GAA, will be honoured by the leadership of GAA and commentator, Micheál O Muircheartaigh at a special conference organised by his native GAA club in Limerick.

Frank B Dineen founded Ballylanders Shamrocks GAA club in south east Limerick in 1886. He is the only person to serve as both president (1895-1898) and secretary (1889-1901) of the GAA. He is best remembered as the man who purchased a site on Jones Road in 1908 and donated it to the GAA for free in 1913 which has developed into the organisation’s headquarters.

With a capacity of over 82,000, Croke Park is by far the country’s largest stadium.

Next month’s conference in Ballylanders is entitled, The Birth of Croke Park in the Ballyhoura mountains.

Beginning on August 14, the conference is one of the highlights of Ballylanders week-long Pattern Festival.

A spokesman said: “A specially commissioned plaque in honour of Frank B Dineen will be unveiled by GAA president Christy Cooney on the gable wall of McDermott’s pub on August 15. This will start a day full of GAA celebrations for Frank Dineen’s club.”

GAA historian Harry Greensmyth will also launch a 140-page book about the Life and Times of Frank B Dineen.

The Ballylanders Pattern Festival is one of the country’s oldest and best festivals dating back to the late 17th century.