Burns visits RGU to mark special day and honour key figure

Burns visits RGU to mark special day and honour key figure

25 June 2025

RGU Downpatrick welcomed GAA President Jarlath Burns to the Páirc Tomás Ruseil on Friday morning, as they unveiled a memorial stone to GAA founder John McKay.

Around 160 guests from local business, schools and political parties were invited to the club for what was an engaging and informative morning.

Paul McErlean, of Cavendish Public Relations and Communication led proceedings, hosting discussions with Belfast Walking Tours’ Larry Murphy and author Donal McAnallen.

Murphy illustrated the background of Thomas Russell, the founding member of the United Irishmen whom the club’s grounds are named after.

The morning’s introduction of President Burns was preceded by McAnallen, who provided an overview of the life of John McKay, his involvement in the sport and his local link.

McKay was born in the townland of Cargagh in the parish of Downpatrick back in 1852, before moving to Cork and taking up a job as a reporter with the Cork Examiner.

He was the only non-Munster man present on that historical day at the Hayes Hotel, Thurles, Co Tipperary, in 1884, when the GAA was founded.

However, people had lost sight of who he was for many years, until a committee marking the 125th anniversary of the GAA, in 2009, sought missing figures.

Research revealed McKay had been buried in an unmarked grave in London and it was discovered he was a Downpatrick man.

Not only did Downpatrick have a representative at the top table on one of the most important days in Ireland’s sporting history, McKay also flew the flag for the town in the development and prosperity of the sport.

As secretary, he was one of the key figures, playing a pivotal role in those early years and helping to ensure the GAA survived competition from rival sporting bodies.

McKay actually arrived for that famous day in the Hayes Hotel as a track and field man and McAnallen believes Downpatrick’s influence stretched further than just a birthplace.

“From 1861, the Downpatrick Olympic Games provided a flurry of activity for three or four years. I can’t help but feel that John McKay, at the age of 10 or 11, was there to see it and I feel it left its mark on him,” he said.

It was only fitting that the RGU decided to honour the memory of such an important figure, commemorating him with a memorial stone at the entrance to the club – something that has been echoed by chairman John Murphy.

“I think you always have to remember the people who founded the GAA and the ideas and ideals they had in 1884, particularly John McKay.

“I think it’s very important that, as a local person from Downpatrick, we recognise and honour him with the event today and the unveiling of the memorial stone.”

If the events of the day were not special enough, those in attendance were also treated to an interview with President Burns, conducted by McErlean.

Burns, a former star for the Armagh senior football team, was elected as the 41st President of the GAA last year and has been praised for his impact off the pitch.

He has become known for his determination towards tackling challenges such as, maintaining the amateur status of the sport and ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, as well as overseeing major rule changes.

Throughout his discussion with McErlean, Burns spoke passionately about the sport, particularly the impact it has had on his life.

Paying homage to McKay’s influence, he said: “John McKay was a man ahead of his time and without his involvement, we may not be where we are today.

“Growing up in south Armagh in the 70s, you could imagine what that was like. I was just lucky I could catch and kick a ball. The GAA was a great sense of identity for us; you could be Irish and proud of it.”

Burns has also been noted for his dedication to the club level of the sport and his visit to the RGU is a fine example of that, particularly given the fact he is the first GAA President to visit the club since Seán Kelly opened their pitch in 2002.

As well as honouring a key figure in McKay, the event sought to raise valuable funds for both the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the RGU Future Stars Programme (FSP), with tables of 10 on offer for £500 and the opportunity to make donations available on the day. 

The FSP is an initiative that provides dedicated coaching in local primary schools and it is safe to say it has captured the interest of the President.

“If you look back in 20 years and Downpatrick have had success, winning championships, you will recognise the Future Stars Programme as an innovation,” Burns stated.

“It’s brilliant to see Downpatrick pushing this.”

The morning’s events concluded with Burns and McAnallen personally unveiling the John McKay memorial stone and Murphy was delighted to have the President involved.

He added: “To be able to honour one of the founders of the GAA and have the GAA’s President coming to recognise the achievements of John McKay, it was very special.

“It’s brilliant for the club, the volunteers and the people who have done so much behind the scenes to prepare for this event.

“To see it go so well and be so well attended, it’s a great reward for all the hard work.”