Ból Chumann na Ból Chumann na hÉireannhÉireann

Road Bowling - The GameRoad Bowling - The Game

The objective of the game is to throw a 28The objective of the game is to throw a 28 thth oz oz Bowl over a set course (normally a national Bowl over a set course (normally a national road) and the bowler who crosses the finishing road) and the bowler who crosses the finishing line in the least amount of shots winsline in the least amount of shots wins..

Part of CulturePart of Culture

Bowling continues to play an important role Bowling continues to play an important role with strong bowling clubs in both rural and with strong bowling clubs in both rural and urban areas. urban areas.

In rural areas in particular it is evident that In rural areas in particular it is evident that bowling has a strong social significance bowling has a strong social significance providing a sporting and social outlet to men providing a sporting and social outlet to men and women of all age groups.and women of all age groups.

Part of Culture…Part of Culture…

Weekend bowling events often attract crowds Weekend bowling events often attract crowds of up to 2000 people.of up to 2000 people.

Secondly Ból- Chumann na hÉireann has very Secondly Ból- Chumann na hÉireann has very strong North-South links with frequent travel strong North-South links with frequent travel and competition between Northern and and competition between Northern and Southern regions.Southern regions.

Bowling’s Role in Social Bowling’s Role in Social IntegrationsIntegrations

Bowling played by a wide spectrum of the Bowling played by a wide spectrum of the population.population.

Bowling is a particularly popular sport for Bowling is a particularly popular sport for players with Intellectual and physical abilities players with Intellectual and physical abilities ( special needs) .( special needs) .

Bowling: A Sport for AllBowling: A Sport for All

Bowling is played by very wide age group, with Bowling is played by very wide age group, with affiliated players from the ages of under 10 to affiliated players from the ages of under 10 to 80’s both male and female80’s both male and female

Media Interests in bowlplayingMedia Interests in bowlplaying

Weekly newspapers columns on the sport in Weekly newspapers columns on the sport in national and local papers in Cork, Armagh, national and local papers in Cork, Armagh, Louth, Wexford, Mayo, London and Boston. Louth, Wexford, Mayo, London and Boston.

Frequent articles and features on bowling in Frequent articles and features on bowling in other national press. other national press.

Considerable television and radio coverage Considerable television and radio coverage nationally and internationally.nationally and internationally.

Popularity of Roadbowling Popularity of Roadbowling throughout Irelandthroughout Ireland

The stronghold of bowling are: Armagh and The stronghold of bowling are: Armagh and parts of Tyrone and Monaghan. Munster- parts of Tyrone and Monaghan. Munster- Cork, Waterford and Tipperary. Connacht- Cork, Waterford and Tipperary. Connacht- Mayo. Leinster- Louth &Wexford.Mayo. Leinster- Louth &Wexford.

Bowlplaying in the European Bowlplaying in the European UnionUnion

The International Bowplaying Association was The International Bowplaying Association was founded in June 1969, at Losser in Holland. founded in June 1969, at Losser in Holland.

This links the four main European bowlplaying This links the four main European bowlplaying associations:associations: Ból-Chumann na hÉireann IrelandBól-Chumann na hÉireann Ireland

- 3,000 - 3,000 membersmembers

NKB of the Netherlands - 4,500 membersNKB of the Netherlands - 4,500 members FKV of the Netherlands - 60,000 membersFKV of the Netherlands - 60,000 members VSHB of Germany - 4,500 members VSHB of Germany - 4,500 members ABIS of Italy - 1,000 members ABIS of Italy - 1,000 members

Bowlplaying in the European Bowlplaying in the European Union…Union…

These associations come together every four These associations come together every four years to competeyears to compete

Roadbowling: An International Roadbowling: An International SportSport

Bowling today being played in theBowling today being played in the North American Region (Boston, New North American Region (Boston, New

York , West Virginia) York , West Virginia) London. London.

Ból- Chumann na hEireann hosts annual Ból- Chumann na hEireann hosts annual competitions with these regions.competitions with these regions.

Benefits of Bowling’s Benefits of Bowling’s International Links to Tourism International Links to Tourism IndustryIndustry

As bowling takes place on the road, and most As bowling takes place on the road, and most often in scenic county areas there are spin-often in scenic county areas there are spin-offs from such coverage in promoting the offs from such coverage in promoting the perception of Ireland as an unspoilt and perception of Ireland as an unspoilt and beautiful tourist destination.beautiful tourist destination.

Organisation Contact DetailsOrganisation Contact Details

irishroadbowling.ieirishroadbowling.ie

James O Driscoll James O Driscoll (odriscolljim@hotmail.com)(odriscolljim@hotmail.com)