James Nowlan (1855-1924), Kilkenny, was the sixth president of the GAA (1901-1921).

In 1898, Nowlan was elected alderman of Kilkenny Council, and used his position to promote the GAA. In 1900, he became the first chairman of the Leinster Council of the GAA.

The longest serving president of the GAA, at his retirement he was appointed “Honorary Life President”, the only person to receive the honour.

A committed Republican, Nowlan was a member of Sinn Fein from its foundation, and tried to lead the GAA in a more Republican direction^[1]. After the Easter Rising, he was imprisoned in Frongoch, Wales.

Nowlan was also a member of the Gaelic League, and was the first person to sign the minutes of a Central Council meeting in Irish^[2].

Nowlan park was named in his honour in 1928.

More information is available from Wikipedia.