In the early 90′s a number of Irish expatriates living in Paris were in the habit of getting together to play Hurling and Gaelic Football on a regular basis and organising matches with the Irish communities in Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Germany and France. The success of their efforts generated in the Gaelic Athletic Association, Paris (France) being formally established in April 1995, under the 1901 Law. The club is in fact the first affiliated GAA club in mainland Europe and has approximately 100 active members at present playing hurling, camogie, ladies and mens football. The club has been going from strength to strength since it’s creation and has had the honour of welcoming the former GAA President and Overseas chairman Mr. Joe McDonagh in April 1997. In february 1998, the club were also honoured to welcome the Liam McCarthy Cup, when the club hosted a friendly with Glynnbarn Town( Wexford) football and hurling clubs, plus several players from intercounty status and players who travelled from Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium. Furthermore, Paris Gaels were also invited to their first ever Overseas Officers meeting in September 1997 which began discussions on how best to structure the GAA in Europe and how to better structure an organisation on the mainland. As a result of these discussions, Europe were officially invited to the 1998 Irish Holidays International Gaelic Football Competition , held in September at St.Vincent’s GAA Club, Dublin. October 1999, Paris Gaels welcomed St. Margaret’s GAA club from the Fingal area to Paris. A friendly match of Hurling and Gaelic Football was played in a friendly manner (despite the reputation of St. Margarets) which was a great success for both clubs. These links with Irish based GAA clubs hope to be maintained in our future efforts to promote our national games abroad.