James Nowlan

James Nowlan (1855 – 20 June 1924) was the President of the Gaelic Athletic Association from 1901 to 1921. He was the longest serving president of the organisation.

Nowlan was born in Kilkenny City and was an Irish nationalist in the late 19th century and early 20th century. A member of the Gaelic League, he was a lifelong supporter of the Irish language revival movement, a supporter of Sinn Féin from its foundation in 1905. In 1898 he was elected an alderman of Kilkenny Corporation. In 1900 he became the first chairman of the Leinster Council of the GAA, before taking up the presidency of the national organisation the following year. He would hold that position for twenty years making him the longest serving president. Nowlan was interned in Wales for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising. He was also a supporter of the Irish Republican Army during the Anglo-Irish War in the 1920s.

James Nowlan retired as GAA President in March 1921 , at the Congress that year, and was appointed "Honorary Life President" of the association - the only person to be so honoured.

James Nowlan died on June 20, 1924. Nowlan Park, the GAA stadium in his native Kilkenny city, was renamed in his honour three years later.

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