Familiar Voices on Foreign Fields : A Case Study of the Malmö Gaelic Athletic Association and Cultural Identity and Community in Irish Migrants

The Gaelic Athletic Association, hereafter referred to as the GAA, has played a pivotal role in shaping and preserving Irish cultural identity since its establishment in 1884 (Cronin, 2007, p.193). This thesis’s research questions aim to understand ‘How does Malmö GAA facilitate an environment in which Irish Migrants connect with Irish culture' , 'How does Malmö GAA act as a community as well as a sporting organisation' and 'What are the emotional benefits migrants can experience through their involvement in a migrant sports organisation'. This research has employed a qualitative research approach and draws on the theoretical framework of Communities in Practice Theory, Symbolic Interactionism and Goffman’s dramaturgical framework. To answer the research questions, semi-structured interviews with Irish migrants involved with Malmö GAA were carried out, as well as an analysis of documents provided by an interviewee detailing the clubs cultural aims. By analysing the role of the GAA in the lives of Irish migrants in Malmö, this research discovers how sports organizations can serve as vehicles for cultural identity maintenance and community within migrant populations.