Cumann na mBunscol is an autonomous National Federation of Primary Schools promoting Gaelic Games in an educational context, having affiliated to it County and Provincial Primary Schools Committees.
Cumann na mBunscol or, as it was known then, An Bord Eadarchathrach, was founded in 1971 by a group of forward-thinking teachers involved in promoting Gaelic Games in their own areas. Those visionary teachers saw the potential to organise on a countrywide basis. Today, Cumann na mBunscol promotes Gaelic Games - football, hurling, camogie, girls football, rounders and handball - in primary schools in all 32 counties of Ireland. Competitions/activities are provided for all types of schools from large urban schools to small one- or two-teacher schools in rural Ireland. No other sporting code has a similar countrywide infrastructure.
Primary teachers have been immersed in the promotion of Gaelic Games for decades. Sciath na Scol, for instance, can trace its history to the establishment of ‘Cork County School Shields’ on May 13th, 1903, at No.7 Cook Street, Cork. Cumann na mBunscol Baile Átha Cliath will celebrate its centenary in 2028. Other counties can tell a similar tale. However, it was not until 1971 that the movement became established as a national body, rather than a disparate group of committees.The name given to the body founded in 1971 was An Bord Eadar Chathrach. Five counties, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford were represented at a meeting in Dublin on the weekend of the All-Ireland football final in that year. An Bord Eadar Cheatharach was known as Bord Luthchleas Gael na mBunscoileanna from 1977 until a motion to change its name to Cumann na mBunscol was formally adopted at the AGM in 1991.
In June 2021, Cumann na mBunscol organised Cumann na mBunscol Week. Schoolchildren throughout the island of Ireland took part. A host of stars of GAA Handball and camogie players also recorded coaching tips for children. A wide range of activities took place in which children were able to take part e.g. Colours Days, art competitions, skills competitions and interviews with famous players. Children and teachers made short films about Gaelic Games, their heroes and what Cumann na mBunscol means to children in primary school. Memorable match-winning scores were re-enacted in schoolyards throughout the land. Teachers and parents were unequivocal in reporting the enjoyment children derived from the week’s activities in what are difficult times in schools. Since then, Cumann na mBunscol Week has become a fixture in the school calendar.
To mark our 50th Anniversary of promoting Gaelic games in schools, we launched our book, "50 Bliain ag Fás" in November 2023. Written by Ciarán Crowe and former Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta Chairman, Joe Lyons, this wonderful publication chronicles 50 years of incredible volunteerism and spans 32 counties. Each school in the country received a copy of this book. Copies are still available at www.omahonys.ie/50-bliain-ag-fás-50-years-of-gaelic-games-in-primary-schools-p-10573951.html
