Organized Olympic Games in Athletics (also known as Track and Field) has a History which dates back almost 900 years before the first Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 700 BC, when the Tailteann Games were first held in Ireland around 1600 BC. [References: 2-3]

The Tailteann Games are an Ancient Sporting and Athletic Event hosted in what is today Teltown in Co. Meath, Ireland. The background to these games, which folklore scholars believe date back to 1600BC, approximately 900 years before the Olympic Games in Greece, are that they were a tribute to the Goddess Tailtiu, the wife of Eochaid mac Eirc, the last of the Fir Bolg High Kings. Tailtiu was foster mother to Lugh, a member of the Tuatha De Danann, an invading force in Ireland which defeated the Native Fir Bolg (as accounted in the “Book of Invasions”). After Eochaid mac Eirc’s death, and also Tailtiu’s death (possibly while clearing land for agriculture), Lugh instituted the Tailteann Games in her honour near the seat of the High Kings in Co. Meath. [References: 2-3]

The Games themselves ran for hundreds of years from the July fortnight up to August 1. events included Hurling, Long Jump, High Jump, Running, Spear Throwing, Boxing, Sword Fighting, Archery, Wrestling, Swimming, Chariot Racing, Strategy Games and crafts, storytelling, singing and dancing – all competitors attempting to be crowned best in Ireland. [References: 2-3]

Featured Image: Photo Contributor: photoyh (2008) August 16, 2008 Martina Churandy (1003), Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe (3317), Ireland’s Paul Hession (2045) are competing to make it to the finals at the 200m. [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/august-16-2008-martina-churandy-1003-1803702523 [Accessed 26 July 2022]

HISTORICAL REFERENCES

[2] Francis Mulraney (2021) “Did Ireland’s ancient August Lughnasa games influence the Olympics?” Irish Central [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/tailteann-games-1924 [Accessed 5  July 2022]

[3] Lebor Gabala Erenn (2022) The Book of Invasions Celtic New Dawn Press. Printed by Amazon.

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Summer Olympics

The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of an Athletes career and Irish Swimmers have been winning Medals at the Olympic Games since 1924. The Irish Open Swimming Championships are one of the highlights of the Irish Swimming Calendar.

Community Games

Community Games is an organisation in Ireland which runs sporting & other competitions for Children & Teenagers on a parish/community level throughout Ireland, with County Competitions followed by Provincial & All Ireland Finals.

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Gay Games

Gay Games has been running since 1982.

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Athletics (Track and Field)

Athletics has a long and distinguished presence in Ireland, with numerous Summer Olympics Medal winners. It is also known as Track & Field. Other disciplines include Mountain Running

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Swimming

This is the Eirball Index Page for the All-Time Results and Statistics of Irish Swimming Competitions, from the Olympic Games Medallists to Swim Ireland Medal Winners, and other swimming contests such as Diving, the Liffey Swim (Open Sea Swimming), and Bog Snorkelling.

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Winter Sports

There is a small amount of Winter Sports in Ireland. Apart from the Ice Hockey & Inline Hockey Leagues (see Elite Ice Hockey Leagues, Irish Ice Hockey Leagues, International Ice Hockey, Inline Hockey, Floorball / Ball Hockey / Unihoc ) and Curling (see Curling ) there is also an artificial Ski Slope at Kilternan in Dublin, and Irish Teams have entered Ice Skating and Bobsleigh competitions abroad.

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Snow Sports

X-Games

Surfing

Ireland was the first Country in Europe to host the European Surfing Championships when hosted at Lahinch, Co. Clare in 1972. With some of the best waves in the World, top surfers come from as far away as New Zealand and California to take part in events. [References: 1]

REFERENCES: BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Cavey, Kevin (2017) “Chapter 14: European Championships Lahinch, 1972” How Green Was Our Wave” pg. 166. Trafford Publishing, 2017.

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Gymnastics

Gymastics Ireland is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport in Ireland. It is a member of the Federation of International Gymnastics.

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Weightlifting

The Irish Strength Association runs Strongman and Strongwoman competitions in Ireland, as well as sending representatives to the Ultimate Strength World Championships and other Strength Competitions Worldwide.

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