RTE show to feature Offaly man with fascinating GAA memorabilia collection

An Offaly GAA memorabilia collector will feature on a new RTE series next week.

Presenter Roisín Murphy dives into the fascinating world of online marketplaces, where you can buy and sell just about anything and her search takes her to Co Offaly on Monday night next, February 19.

With over a million subscribers and millions of ads, Roisín uncovers fascinating stories behind some of the buyers and sellers in the ever-increasing circular economy.

Roisín travels to Offaly to meet with John Ferris who is a passionate sports memorabilia enthusiast. His life has been intricately woven with the threads of GAA history. From the moment he could comprehend the exhilarating world of sports, John's heart was captivated by the magic of GAA games.

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As a young boy, he embarked on a journey alongside his father, attending matches where he would collect programmes at the end of each game. Continuing on with family tradition, John now brings his own children to matches, who collect programmes for their father’s ever expanding collection.

John's childhood curiosity blossomed into a full-fledged passion for collecting GAA memorabilia, with a special emphasis on programmes. The intricacies of these pieces of history, which documented the evolution of the games and showcased the legends who graced the field, fascinated him deeply. His assortment of programmes, spans decades, transporting anyone who sets eyes upon them to the bygone eras of GAA glory.

With a remarkable assemblage dating back to the 1940s, his collection stands as a testament to the rich history of the sport.

However, John's passion goes far beyond programmes alone. His collection is a tapestry woven with diverse threads, including jerseys, autobiographies and even tickets. An unexpected highlight of his collection is a set of chairs from the Hogan Stand, relics from the 1960s that provide a tangible link to the spectator experience of the past.