http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/our-very-own-journal-of-the-plague-year-1957902.html
A very funny editorial from Pat Fitzpatrick in the Irish Independent. It hits on many issues discussed on our recent trip to Ireland.
Archive for the ‘Irish Sports & Games’ Category
What have we done to deserve the disasters of biblical proportions being visited upon us?
Sunday, December 13th, 2009Day 4: Trusty Stallions to Sligo Town
Friday, November 27th, 2009A late wake up call was the perfect blast off to another culturally enlightening day. The road to downtown Sligo was full of preparations and exclamations about how revitalizing the seaweed bath would be or how scenic and possibly challenging a ride on a snorting and bucking steed on the meandering beaches of Ireland would be. Upon our arrival in Sligo, we clambered out of the luxurious van and stepped out onto the bustling streets that we would wander for the next hour if we chose to attend the seaweed bath or for the next three hours if we preferred only to ride the horses. During the exploration of downtown, we came upon many stores that seemed very similar to ones in the U.S. and many that were very original and intriguing. Lunch was an interesting affair: many of us wanted to experience a real Irish lunch, so we made a bee-line to the nearest pub. However, a few wandered to the local Subway, where the only difference was the lack of banana peppers for a sub. At one o’clock we clambered back onto the bus, which drove us to the horseback-riding stable. We were each given a trusty steed on which we would majestically ride up and down the beach. Some of us signed up to participate in the Expert ride and once we began to trot a few were cut from the elite. Our hour ride along the Irish countryside and beach was quite scenic and exciting and ended far too soon. This was the end of our outing. We arrived back to the hostel where we relaxed and enjoyed a delicious homemade chicken dinner. We plan to traverse a craggy cliff tomorrow at six o’clock in the morning so too-de-loo.
History of Rugby in Ireland
Friday, October 16th, 2009The first organized rugby club in Ireland was at Dublin University in 1854. The students at the university had learned the game while at English public school. From 1874 to 1879 there were two rugby unions in Ireland. The first 15 a side international match was played in 1877 against England. The two unions consisted of different provinces and in 1879 they combined to form one union. The union is run by a council still to this day. In each province there is a branch of the union that controls rugby affairs in that region.
Gaelic Football
Monday, October 5th, 2009Is played on field that is 137m by 82m. It has the same shape cross bars as a rugby field, but the crossbar is slightly lower, but higher than a soccer cross bar. The sport is a mix between rugby and soccer. The ball is a round ball that is slightly smaller than a soccer ball.You can walk with the ball for four steps. Then you can either bounce the ball off your foot and take four more steps, or kick the ball, or strike the ball with your fist. If you get the ball over the crossbar its one point and under into the net is three points. Each team consists of 15 members.
Hurling
Monday, September 28th, 2009Hurling is the national sport of Ireland, but to the Irish it is more than a game. Hurling is full of tradition and history. It is Europe’s oldest field game. When the last ice age was receding, the Celts came to Ireland and brought the game of hurling with them. Early records show that hurling was regulated since at least the sixth century. Outsiders visiting Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries noted how large a role the game of hurling played on the social life in Ireland. Earlier, in the 12th century, hurling was proscribed by the English Crown.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3469/is_43_53/ai_94464991/
Hurling
Friday, September 25th, 2009Hurling today is the national sport of Ireland. It is also the oldest game in Europe as it was brought to Ireland over 2,000 years ago by the Celts. The game is most similar to hockey, each team consists of 15 players equipped with a curved wooden stick. The goal of the game is to get the ball over the crossbars. The game is played on the near equivalent of a rugby pitch. You can either hit the ball while its in the air or on the ground. You can also pick up the ball and run with it, but only for 4 steps. One goal counts as three points.
Irish Sports
Monday, September 21st, 2009Despite the main sports that are played in Ireland such as Hurling, Soccer and Rugby, there are a few other sports that are played. One of these sports is road bowling, this is game is not an official sport, but is a game that is frequently played in Ireland. The game is like bowling, but it is played on actual roads with cars passing. Road bowling, Hockey and Handball are three sports in Ireland that may not get as much attention, but still are played throughout Ireland. This site has an excellent video that demonstrates road bowling.
Irish Sports
Monday, September 7th, 2009This website goes into detail about each sport that is played in Ireland and the role that the sport has on Irish culture. The website goes into detail about the history of each sport and how it started. Each sport is usually played at many different levels from internationally to amateur leagues in individual counties. For example beside the international Irish soccer team, there are three levels of Irish soccer. There is a youth league, junior league, Irish league and the league of Ireland in which the players actually get paid.
Hurling
Monday, September 7th, 2009There are many popular sports in Ireland. The most popular however are what are known as Gaelic games. One game in particular, is called Hurling. This is an outdoor sport that was originally administered by the G.A.A(Gaelic Atheltic Association). The game is played with two teams, the each player has sticks called hurleys, and play with a ball called a sliotar. The game is mostly played in Ireland, and is known to be one of the fastest team field games ever played. The goal of the game is for the players to use their sticks and hit the ball past the opponents crossbar, over being one point, and under the crossbar into the net gaurded by the goalkeeper for a goal, which would be like three points. The sliotar is permitted to be caught in a players hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the hurl. It can be kicked or slapped with an open hand (the hand pass) for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick and the ball can only be handled twice while in his possession. The game can get rough. Side to side shouldering is alright to do, however, body checking and shoulder-charging is illegal. No protective padding is worn by players, and although a plastic protective helmet with face guard is recommended, this is not mandatory for players over 21.
Irish Sports
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009A source of entertainment for many in Ireland is sports. Among the many sports they have in common with otehr coutries, they have many that are uniquely theres. Hurling, common refered to as field hockey is a very popular sport mostly played by males. Gaelic football, that is like soccer is also uniquely Irelands. Despite the different sports they still share cricket, rugby, boxing, fishing and golf.
Reference Encyclopdia of People and Places
