Offaly man's passion for GAA memorabilia to feature on RTÉ show
An Offaly man who is an avid collector of GAA memorabilia, particularly match programmes spanning several decades, is set to feature in a new RTÉ show.
John Ferris is centre stage in Monday's edition of 'Life in A Million Ads' airing on RTÉ 1 at 9.35pm.
The show, presented by Roisín Murphy, dives into the fascinating world of online marketplaces, where you can buy and sell just about anything. It uncovers fascinating stories behind some of the buyers and sellers in the ever-increasing circular economy.
On Monday's show she meets Offaly man John Ferris, who is a passionate sports memorabilia enthusiast since his childhood, and his amazing collection has a myriad of signed jerseys, tickets and, even seats from the Hogan Stand in Croke Park from the 1960s.
From the moment he could comprehend the exhilarating world of sports, John's heart was captivated by the magic of GAA games.
As a young boy, he embarked on a journey alongside his father to 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.
His 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 and stands as a testament to the rich history of 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 that once granted access to the adrenaline-charged arenas.
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.
'Life in A Million Ads' airs on RTÉ One on Monday, February 19th at 9.35pm