President of the Gaelic Athletic Association

The president of the Gaelic Athletic Association is the head of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The president holds office for three years. The role of president has existed since the foundation of the GAA. The president of the GAA is one of the leading figures in civil society in Ireland, as the association has around one million members and is present in every parish in the country. The role of president involves representing the GAA in Ireland and across the world. Former presidents of the GAA have a key role within the GAA, sitting on the motions committee which rules if motions to the annual Congress are in order. They also have become known for other roles such as Seán Kelly, who was later elected as an MEP for the South constituency.
The president travels across Ireland and the world to promote the organisation and attend games; former President Nickey Brennan travelled 160,000 miles in Ireland alone during his three years as president, and visited Great Britain, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East on several occasions, meeting dignitaries such as New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg along the way.
Jarlath Burns assumed office as president on 24 February 2024.

Selection

The president is elected at Annual Congress. They then serve as Uachtarán-Tofa for one year.

History

In 1981, John Kerry O'Donnell became the first overseas member of the GAA to run for president.
In 2020, Larry McCarthy became the first overseas member of the GAA to be elected as president.

President's Awards

Seán Kelly introduced the President's Awards.
They are awarded annually.

Player–presidents

Donal Keenan, Con Murphy, Paddy Buggy, Mick Loftus, Joe McDonagh and Nickey Brennan all won All-Ireland medals as players before becoming president.
John Dowling was with the Tullamore club as a dual player, but at inter-county level his involvement was more as a referee, officiating in five All-Ireland finals.
Peter Quinn played for Teemore in Fermanagh, winning a Junior Football Championship. However, his only involvement with the Fermanagh seniors was in the Dr Lagan Cup and some challenge matches; he was never even included in a championship panel.
Seán McCague played junior club football for most of the time but at inter-county level he was a manager.
Jack Boothman played for the Blessington club.
Liam O'Neill played with the Trumera club at junior level, though featured at senior level on hurling teams while studying at St Pat's and UCD.
Aogán Ó Fearghail played locally for 12 years but won no championship games.
John Horan played for Na Fianna in his late twenties.
The highlight of Larry McCarthy's playing career was winning the 1977–78 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship with Thomond College.
Jarlath Burns made his debut with the Armagh senior team in 1987. Over the course of the following thirteen seasons he had little success; however, the highlight of his career was captaining Armagh to an Ulster title in 1999. Burns also won two McKenna Cup titles.

Statistics

? was the oldest president to enter office, aged ?.
? was the oldest president to leave office, aged ?.
Seán Ryan was the youngest president to enter office, aged ?.
? was the youngest president to leave office, aged ?.
?, who died in office, had the shortest presidency of ? days.
?, who resigned, served for ? days.
Maurice Davin uniquely served for two terms.
James Nowlan is the longest-serving.
Pat Fanning was the former president to have survived the longest after serving.
Michael Deering was the only president to die in office.
Only twice have there been consecutive presidents from the same province: Joseph Stuart and Aodh Ó Broin of Leinster and Séamus Ó Riain and Pat Fanning of Munster.
Leinster had three consecutive presidents from different counties between 1901 and 1926.
Munster then had three consecutive presidents from different counties between 1926 and 1935.
Five of the seven Ulster presidents came from north of the border. The other two were Seán McCague and Aogán Ó Fearghail.

;By county

The following counties have had multiple presidents:

#	County	Presidents
4	Cork	Christy Cooney, Michael Deering, Seán McCarthy, Con Murphy
3	Clare	Edward Bennet, Séamus Gardiner, Joseph Stuart
3	Galway	Peter Kelly, Joe McDonagh, Vincent O'Donoghue
3	Kilkenny	Nickey Brennan, Paddy Buggy, James Nowlan
3	Tipperary	Maurice Davin, Séamus Ó Riain, Seán Ryan
2	Antrim	Séamus McFerran, Pádraig MacNamee
2	Armagh	Alf Murray, Jarlath Burns
2	Dublin	John Horan, Daniel McCarthy
2	Laois	Bob O'Keeffe, Liam O'Neill
2	Limerick	Liam Clifford, Frank Dineen
2	Roscommon	Donal Keenan, Dan O'Rourke
2	Wicklow	Jack Boothman, Aodh Ó Broin

;By province