The game of Irish hurling

Irish Hurling Photographs

The game of hurling

Hurling is one of the oldest field games in the world, and popular in Ireland for over 3000 years. Hurling is the national sport of Ireland and is played on 5 continents across the world. It is considered the fastest and most skillful field game on the planet. Considered by some as one of the most dangerous sports in the world, as the leather hurling ball, known as a Sliotar, can travel at over 150 km an hour (over 100 mph). Most counties in Ireland field a county senior hurling team, but over the decades, a small number of teams have dominated, by reaching the All-Ireland final, held yearly at Croke Park stadium in the heart of Dublin’s north inner city.

Hurling in the 1950’s & 1960’s

In the 50’s and 60’s, the great hurling counties were Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Kilkenny, Clare, Offaly, and Waterford. My memories growing up on All-Ireland hurling final day, was watching the many trains, initially pulled by steam engines & later by diesel locomotives, making their way from Wexford, thronged with supporters, heading to Dublin. I was born & raised (by the railroad) in County Wicklow, a county not renowned for their hurling prowess, so we enthusiastically supported our neighbours in County Wexford, who in that golden age of hurling, were at the forefront of the game.

A Hurling History

The Gaelic game of hurling is thought to pre-date Christianity as it was introduced to Ireland by the Celts. The game continued to develop right up to the 18th. century, when the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, in 1884, when the games were organised around a common set of written rules. In 1888, an American tour by over 50 Gaelic players (known as the American invasion) created enough interest among Irish Americans, to begin the formulation of the North American GAA. In Ireland, the game of hurling has remained the top sporting attraction, with our current hurling players (while still maintaining amateur status) reaching fitness and skill levels, of elite athletes. The pure skill and speed of the game, makes hurling the most exciting and spectacular field game in the world. CNN listed the All-Ireland senior hurling final in 2nd place, after the Olympic Games, in their top ten sporting events in the world to experience live. This was ahead of the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships.

' The Hurler '

The hurling photograph

With that tradition and history in mind, I created the fine art photograph ‘The Hurler’, with as much authenticity as is possible 60 years later. The original leather boots & socks belonged to well-known Gorey sportsman and Grocer, Miley Doyle (Kindly loaned by his son John). The County Wexford hurling jersey and togs were from the 1963 All-Ireland Final and were sourced by well-known Gorey hurler, Sammy Walker, as was his own personal Sliotar also from the 1963 final at Croke Park. The handmade seasoned ash timber hurley, from circa 1965, was loaned by hurler, Mick Duffy, who now lives in Aughrim. The bottle of TK lemonade, and the pack of gold flake cigarettes, were the personal rewards after a game, although they were often enjoyed at half time also.

Ends O’Doule 2023

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Whether you're a die-hard hurling fanatic or just looking to explore this fascinating sport, our photo galleries are sure to have something that will catch your eye. So why wait? Click on the links below and start exploring now!

The game of Irish hurling

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