What Is Ireland's Oldest Sport? A Legacy Still Alive Today

A Quick Dive into Ireland’s Ancient Sporting Soul

Honestly, when someone first asked me “Do you know what Ireland’s oldest sport is?” I blurted out—rugby? (Yeah, I know, don’t judge me). Turns out, I was way off. The true answer? Hurling. Not only is it the oldest, but it's also one of the fastest and most brutal team sports I’ve ever seen.

I learned this the hard way. My mate Sean—born and raised in Kilkenny—dragged me to a local match. He said, "Come on, you’ve gotta see it to believe it." And well… he wasn’t lying. You see men sprinting full speed, whacking a tiny ball with wooden sticks called hurleys, dodging hits like it’s a battlefield. It’s insane—and I loved every second of it.

So... What Exactly Is Hurling?

The Basics (That Are Anything But Basic)

Hurling is played with a stick (the hurley) and a ball (called a sliotar). The goal? Get the sliotar into the opposing team’s goal for three points, or over the crossbar for one. Simple in theory. Absolute chaos in practice.

It’s 15 players per side. Helmets, minimal padding, and a lot of bruises. Think of it as a mix between hockey, lacrosse, and hand-to-hand combat (okay, maybe a bit dramatic—but not far off).

Origins that Date Back Over 3,000 Years

Here’s the crazy part. Hurling is older than written Irish history. I’m talking pre-Christian era stuff. There are mentions of it in ancient Irish myths, like the tale of Cú Chulainn, a warrior who supposedly used his hurley and sliotar as weapons. Talk about multitasking.

The earliest records of hurling go back to around 1200 BCE, and there are even medieval laws that mention it. So yeah—this sport is basically woven into the DNA of the island.

Why Is Hurling Still So Loved in Ireland?

More Than Just a Sport

It’s not just about scoring points or winning championships. In places like Cork, Tipperary, and Limerick, hurling is a way of life. Kids grow up with it, grandparents talk about matches from the ‘60s like it was yesterday, and local clubs are sacred.

When I visited a small town near Thurles, I swear, the local pitch got more foot traffic than the pub. (Okay—almost more than the pub). People were genuinely emotional talking about their team’s legacy. And that hit me. This isn’t just sport—it’s identity.

The Role of the GAA

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has kept hurling alive and thriving. Formed in 1884, their mission was to preserve and promote native Irish sports. Thanks to them, hurling never became a historical footnote—it became a national symbol.

They organize the All-Ireland Hurling Championship, and let me tell you, the energy at Croke Park during finals? Unreal. Even if you don’t know the rules, you feel the tension. I actually teared up at one point. No joke.

Common Misconceptions I Totally Fell For

“Isn’t it the same as Gaelic football?”

Nope. Not even close. Gaelic football is a whole different beast. Similar vibe, sure—but the gameplay, rules, and equipment are completely different. I once made the mistake of confusing the two while chatting with someone in Galway… Let’s just say I learned fast not to do that again.

“It’s just an old game, right?”

Wrong again (yeah, I had a rough start with this topic). Hurling’s not just surviving—it’s thriving. Youth clubs are booming, international fans are growing, and even expats in the U.S. and Australia are forming teams.

A Personal Confession (And a Bit of Regret)

You know what’s funny? I had the chance to try hurling at a beginners’ camp once. Froze up. The idea of being whacked with a stick by a 12-year-old didn’t exactly appeal to me. Now? I wish I’d given it a go. Maybe next time I’m in Kilkenny, I’ll let Sean talk me into it again.

Or maybe not. I like having all my teeth.

Final thought? If you ever visit Ireland, don’t just read about hurling—go watch it. Better yet, chat with someone who plays it. You’ll see what I mean. It's not just Ireland's oldest sport. It's probably the most alive one too.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.