You may not have heard it before, but in the Ireland There is a sport that has been played for centuries on the provincial roads: The Road Bowling. Players throw a heavy metal ball along a 2km road, with the aim of reaching the end with the least possible throwing. Think about something between bowling and golfbut with iron ball and asphalt instead of treadmill or grass.
The most famous tournament of the sport, the King and Queen of the Roadstakes place every year in the village of Ballincurrig, Ireland and is considered the “Wimbledon” of Road Bowling. This year, the three -day festival He has collected players from all over Europe – Germany, the Netherlands, Italy – and thousands of spectators, both on the spot and online.
The revival of the sport is largely due to social media. Tiktok and Instagram have brought Road Bowling to youth audience, while drones offer impressive shots from above. The actor Bill Murray He recently visited the village, honoring the tradition with a round at the local bar, while Livestreams from the Road Bowls in Ireland have gathered Over 59 million views this year.
Although amateurish, the sport is accompanied by intense betting, with amounts reaching the Hundreds of thousands of euros. Players need fitness, technical and strong nerves -especially when they know they have bet on them.
Road bowling is deeply rooted in Irish culture, with different techniques per region. Players from the Cork prefer rotational throw, while those from Armach use lower, straight technique. Assistants, known as ” Road Showers ”, act as caddies in golf, giving tips and acting as goals for throwing – a job that requires quick reflexes.
For the Irish, Road Bowling is not just a sport -it is a tradition, a community and a way of life. And now, thanks to technology and global connection, This ancient game finds a new audience and new dynamic, even outside Ireland.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
