- published: 06 May 2015
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Irish road bowling (Irish: Ból an bhóthair) is an ancient sport. It is centered in Ireland - primarily in County Armagh and County Cork. However, it also has players in Boston, Massachusetts; Cambridge, New York, and Bennington, Vermont, vicinity; Traverse City, Michigan; the Bronx, New York; New Zealand; Asheville, North Carolina; and is growing in the fairs and festivals of the state of West Virginia. The first contest in Colborne, Canada was held on May 26, 2007.
Road bowling in Ireland is governed by the voluntary Irish Road Bowling Association (or Ból Chumann na hÉireann in Irish).
The basic premise is similar to golf. Participants, usually single opponents, throw a 800 gram (28 ounce) bowl or "bullet" along a country road course, up to 4 km long, and the fewest throws to traverse the distance wins the contest.
Participants in or from Ireland traditionally bet during the contest. Those who have bet on a player will follow that player around the course, giving advice.
A history of the game has been written by Irish academic Dr Fintan Lane. Titled Long Bullets: A History of Road Bowling in Ireland (Cork: Galley Head Press, 2005), his book traces the sport to the 17th century and suggests that it was once far more widespread than it is today. Until the 19th century, the game was also played in Scotland, the north of England and in North America.
Willie O'Donovan V Thomas Mackle Irish Road Bowling Exhibition 3rd May 2015
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