The Geography of Hurling

Distribution of commons

Map of Ireland showing the distribution of the game 'commons' in the eighteenth century.

Dr. Kevin Whelan

Distribution of commons
Dr. Kevin Whelan

Distribution of commons

Map of Ireland showing the distribution of the game 'commons' in the eighteenth century.

Dr. Kevin Whelan

Enlarge image

Eighteenth Century Hurling Matches

Map of Ireland showing eighteenth century distribution of hurling matches in southern region

Permission from Dr Kevin Whelan

Eighteenth Century Hurling Matches
Permission from Dr Kevin Whelan

Eighteenth Century Hurling Matches

Map of Ireland showing eighteenth century distribution of hurling matches in southern region

Permission from Dr Kevin Whelan

Enlarge image

Introduction

Rugby is a game for ruffians played by gentlemen, soccer is a game for gentlemen played by ruffians, Gaelic football is a game for ruffians played by ruffians but hurling is a game for gentlemen played by gentlemen.

Why is hurling currently popular in a compact region centred on east Munster and south Leinster, and in isolated pockets in the Glens of Antrim and in the Ards peninsula of County Down? The answer lies in an exploration of the interplay between culture, politics and environment over a long period of time.
 

Two Versions

By the eighteenth century it is quite clear that there were two principal, and regionally distinct, versions of the game. One was akin to modern field hockey, or shinty, in that it did not allow handling of the ball; it was played with a narrow, crooked stick; it used a hard wooden ball (the 'crag'); it was mainly a winter game.


This game, called caman (anglicised to 'commons'), was confined to the northern half of the country; its southern limits were set sharply where the small farms of the drumlin belt petered out into the pastoral central lowlands.


The second version of the game (iomán or báire) was of southern provenance. The ball could be handled or carried on the hurl, which was flat and round-headed; the ball (the sliothar) was soft and made of animal hair; the game was played in summer.


Unlike commons, this form of hurling was patronised by the gentry, as a spectator and gambling sport, associated with fairs and other public gatherings, and involved a much greater degree of organisation (including advertising).