Road bowling UNCOVERED

WHAT IS ROAD BOWLING?

IT is an Irish sport where competitors attempt to take the fewest throws in propelling a metal ball along a pre-determined course on country roads. It is also known as long bullets and is mainly played in Armagh and Cork. A match is known as a ‘score’ and spectators often bet on the outcome.

WHAT ARE ITS ORIGINS?

The sport goes back to the 17th century, with one theory suggesting that Dutch soldiers loyal to William of Orange brought it into the country as a variation of their moor bowling. Another is that locals stole cannon balls belonging to the British Army and started playing with them on the roads. A third theory suggests it was imported from Yorkshire and Northumberland by linen workers during the Industrial Revolution.

WHY ONLY ARMAGH AND CORK? Nobody knows. It was much more widespread in Ireland but died out in the 19th century.

It has been suggested that the games were simply more organised in those two counties. The prevalence of the game in Cork can be gauged by the fact that Michael Collins played it in his youth.

There are clubs in Westport, Drogheda and Waterford, but they have been founded by exiles from Armagh and Cork.

A club in London was set up by

Corkonians working in the Ford factory in Dagenham who wanted to do something with their Sunday afternoons.

WHO IS KNOWN AS THE GREATEST ROAD BOWLER?

Mick Barry is considered the Christy Ring of the sport.

He won 11 All-Ireland titles during his career but his most famous feat was on St Patrick’s Day 1955 when, in front of 6,000 people, Barry hurled a 16oz bowl over the 100 ft high Chetwynd Viaduct outside Cork City.