Pastimes in Southern Ireland

Pastimes (sports, games, hobbies, etc.)

  

We can found many pastimes and sports in Ireland.

In 1884, there was a period of social decay of Irish culture and tradition. The revitalization of the traditional values was manifested in sports, mainly through the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Before this, athletics in Ireland was controlled by the English Amateur Athletics Association founded in 1880, which excluded the common man from all British athletic competition. Maurice Davin and Michael Cuzack were the two Irishmen who signed a letter that became of historical importance to preservation of national pastimes.

In January of 1885, the first codes of rules were adopted for the games of hurling, football, weight throwing, jumping, running, walking and cycling. Clubs started to form throughout the country and the idea of national sports had its come back.

Until the First World War, there were two governing bodies that controlled athletics in Ireland, mainly because of political situations of that period. Since the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, a one national controlling body was formed.

Southern Ireland's flag

SOUTHERN IRELAND – ÉIRE

INTRODUCTION

Southern Ireland in green

The Republic of Ireland, known also as Éire (in Irish), is a state in Europe which occupies five-sixths of the Ireland island, with a population reaching 4,6 million in 2011. The capital of Southern Ireland is Dublin. Although Southern Ireland is considered a small country, it has made an enormous contribution to the world, in terms of arts, music, literature, sports and many more. Arts has roots that go centuries back, just like music and literature. Both with highly Celtic influence at its beginnings. Later, the influences of other cultures play a major role, but the celtic-style was never lost. Economy, demographics and education in Southern Ireland are topics mentioned in this work. Traditions, myths and legends, cousine and sports can also be found with an enormous celtic root. But in this case, their expansion throughout the world has been bigger.

Newgrange

Book of Horus.
Iluminated manuscript

High Cross Sculpture