Sport in Northern

Northern Ireland is an hour by car from and Since r884, Gaelic gam es and other forms of one hour by plane from London, which will host the traditional Irish culture have been nurtured and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The country is regulated by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). approximately five thousand square miles, roughly the With over 2,5oo clubs in Ireland alone (soo of which same size as Connecticut. Sport and physical activity are in ), the GAA organizes Club, have played a prominent role in Northern Ireland's County, and All-Ireland Championships that gener­ largely rural culture. ate enormous interest throughout Ireland, as well as Indigenous Irish games, some dating back thou­ from GAA clubs and fans throughout North America, sands of years, are still an important part of contem­ Europe, and Australia. One of the highlights of the porary Irish culture. Hurling (Irish iomcinafocht) was year is the All Ireland Gaelic Football Final held at the favorite sport of the legendary Iron Age hero Croke Park in Dublin, where crowds exceed 8o,ooo. Cuchulainn. Played by teams of up to fifteen hurlers International team sports have large followings with wooden, axe-shaped sticks ("hurls," "hurleys," throughout Northern Ireland. Rugby and football or camcin) and a small hard ball (sliotar), it is one of (American soccer) are played on amateur and profes­ the world's fastest, most exciting field games. Camogie, sional levels. The Irish Rugby Football Union the women's version, is also widely played. Branch, also known as Ulster Rugby, was founded Another indigenous game, Gaelic football, is in r879. Ulster Rugby oversees the sport through­ best described as a combination of soccer and rugby. out Ulster-the six counties that make up Northern Opposing teams attempt to carry the round ball, Ireland and three Ulster counties that are part of the which is slightly smaller than a soccer ball, across . one another's goals . Handball and rounders (a team Founded in r88o, the Irish Football Association sport that is the ancestor of American baseball) are (IFA) is the world's fourth oldest football-govern­ also popular Gaelic games. ing body. The IFA is an important member of the

Indigenous Irish ga mes such as hu rling (rig ht] and Gae lic footba ll (above ]. seen he re in t heir co ntemporary fo rms, trace their roots back thousa nd s of years. Pho tos courtesy Northern Ireland Tourist Board

52 NORTHERN IRELAND International Football Association Board, the sport's Founded in 1890, Ballyc astle Golf Club on the north international rule-making body. Northern Ireland's Antrim coast is one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland. Photo courtesy Northern Ireland Tourist Board most famous football player was the legendary George Best (r948-2oo5), who played for Manchester United in the r96os. Recently, the City Airport was Antrim's beautiful north coast to watch bike riders renamed in his honor. race through "The Triangle" of towns formed by Golf is played on world-class links golf courses, Portrush, Portstewart, and Coleraine. The North such as the Royal Portrush, the Royal , West 200 is among the world's fastest competitions, and other beautifully-maintained courses throughout with speeds exceeding 200 mph. Although some street the region. Internationally respected Northern Irish signs are removed and hay bales are wrapped around golfers include Darren Clarke, Graham McDowell, lampposts and telephone poles, the race is not without and Rory Mcilroy. risk, and accidents sometimes occur. Motorbike rac­ The large network of small country roads has ers are Northern Ireland's homegrown sports heroes; helped popularize motor sports, including motor­ some become legendary, like the late Joey Dunlop, cycle, or "bike," racing, rally car racing, and carting. who won thirteen North West 200 races. They all seem to combine an ancient Irish love of Individual sports and outdoor activities are also horse racing with the region's long-standing aptitude practiced throughout Northern Ireland. With a long, for heavy engineering. "Rallying" is a type of motor unspoiled coastline and many miles of rivers, water racing held from point-to-point on public or private sports, such as fishing, rowing, surfing, and sailing, roads (temporarily closed for the event) rather than are very popular. Bicycling, hiking, hill walking, and on purpose-built, circular tracks. Competing cars or mountain climbing are pursued throughout the region, bikes must be "road-legal." Many competing vehicles and many local residents and tourists take advantage are standard, production-line models that have been of Northern Ireland's many beautiful parks and spec­ modified in small, family-owned shops and garages. tacular wilderness areas. The North West 200 bike race is Ireland's largest sporting event. Each May, more than roo,ooo spec­ tators line winding, two-lane roads along County

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