With All-Ireland weekend fast approaching, thousands of Tipperary GAA fans will be making their way to the capital to see their boys take on Kilkenny's cats. Back at home in the Premier County, however, preparations are ongoing for the sale of Hayes Hotel, aka the birthplace of the GAA. On September 16th Hayes Hotel will go under the hammer at the Allsop Space auction in the RDS. Back in 1884, on November 1st, seven men met in Hayes Hotel at the behest of Michael Cusack, and founded the Gaelic Athletic Association. The organisation was founded with the preservation and cultivation of our national pastimes in mind, and the hotel has been synonymous with the GAA ever since. Sean Kelly, MEP has been vocal in his opinion that the GAA should evaluate the possibility of buying its historic birthplace or consider other ways to preserve the building.  Located in the centre of Thurles town, Hayes Hotel comprises of a reception, lounge bar, coffee dock, two nightclubs together with 30 ensuite bedrooms all set on approx. 0.44hectares. Robert Hoban, Director of Auctions, Allsop Space commented: “We are very excited about Hayes Hotel, it has already gained a lot of pre-auction interest.  We will know its destiny on 16^th September and we hope that it continues to be an integral part of the community in Thurles and for GAA fans up and down the country.” If you have any notion to throw your own hat in the ring, the reserve range for the property is set at €450,000 – €500,000.