Arcadia Ireland

As our students learn each semester on the Experience Gaelic Games trip during orientation, hurling is a Gaelic game which has been played in Ireland for thousands of years. The sport embodies the ancient tribal nature of the Irish people, as players often represent their home county teams and are seen as warriors across the country. One of the most significant differences between Gaelic and American sports is that even the highest-level players are not paid. This reinforces the importance of defending one’s own ‘tribe’ and feeling passionate about the sport itself.

            The fast-paced field game consists of 15 players per side, who use hurleys (flattened wood somewhat resembling a field hockey stick) to hit the sliotar (a small, hard ball). Players can strike the ball in a goal for three points or above the bar between the H-shaped goal post for one point. The ball can be balanced or bounced on the hurley while running as well, increasing the difficulty and need for precision in this ancient Gaelic game.

            The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship is the ‘highest inter-county hurling competition in Ireland’ and matches will take place throughout the summer leading up to the final event on the 18th of August. The 2018 All Ireland Hurling final welcomed over 80,000 fans to Croke Park, Ireland’s largest stadium. Over one million people tuned into RTE to follow along with the match, and tens of thousands of others flocked to the streets of their home counties to celebrate.

            In Dublin, several stadiums are used for hurling matches which often attract visitors from all over Ireland, and there are plenty of matches leading up to the All-Ireland Final which our students are encouraged to attend. These will take place on the 30th of June, 6th & 7th of July, 13th & 14th of July, and the 27th & 28th of July. Tickets for matches in both Dublin and other counties can be found on the following link: GAA Tickets Smaller-scale local matches are also frequently played over the summer months across Ireland and the fixtures can be found here: Ireland Fixtures

            Some quick & interesting facts on hurling:

1. It represents Irish resilience and independence after being banned by the British many times
2. It’s the fastest field sport, the ball can be hit up to 100 mph
3. The US Marine Corps have two hurling teams
4. Protective headgear was incorporated into the game less than ten years ago...thankfully
5. The GAA was formed over 130 years ago to facilitate and organize teams, matches and figures-there are currently over 2,500 GAA clubs in Ireland