A special Mass was held in Thurles Sunday to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The mass was held in Thurles Cathedral to commemorate the founding of the amateur organization on November 1, 1884 at Hayes Hotel.

After Mass, The Artane Boys Band led a parade to the Dr. Croke monument in the town for a special ceremony.

“We are celebrating 125 years of an absolutely enormous contribution by the people of Ireland generally in support of our native games, all on a voluntary basis, Inspired by the great men who came here in 1884 down the road here in Hayes Hotel and thankfully that legacy has lived on,” former president of the GAA Sean Kelly told RTE.

Anniversary celebrations took place around the country and Irish language station TG4 had a special day of programming to mark the day.