'This is who we are': North Cork club unveils portrait series in advance of GAA president visit

A North Cork GAA club has unveiled a series of portraits, displayed across its local town, as part of the build-up to the visit of the president of the GAA this week.

The This Is Who We Are exhibition features proud members of Fermoy GAA for whom participation in Gaelic games has greatly impacted their lives.

These include life-timers, such as club president Tommy O’Brien Sr, who has been involved with the club for nine decades, and newcomers, such as two young Zimbabwean friends, who live in a direct provision centre in the town and are members of the U11 team.

Also featured is one of the members of the Fermoy ‘mothers and others’ team, as well as senior club players, and teenage girls for whom camogie and football offer routes to friendship, belonging, and joy.

The portraits, which were taken by local photographer Sean Sharpe, are on display in businesses across Fermoy, ahead of the visit of GAA president Jarlath Burns on Friday evening.

Officially opening the club’s new all-weather 4G training pitch, the GAA president will also cut the ribbon on the latest phase of development, which will include new dressing rooms, a players’ area, meeting rooms, and a covered spectators’ stand.

The cost of the works at the club, which has 1,000 members, is expected to come to just under €3m.

Club chairman Ciarán O’Keeffe said that the portraits displayed across the town looked fantastic, and the club was delighted with the interest they had generated.

“The visit of the uachtarán of the GAA is a big deal for any club, and we feel it will further boost Fermoy GAA, while also shining a light on the updated and upgraded facilities at the main ground,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

He added that the club had been blessed with support from the Tomar Trust and government grants, and the final 10% of funding needed to be made in contributions from the club’s membership.