ISSN 2009-2237
This entry is part 32 of 34 in the Issue 01Join Dr. Aidan O’ Sullivan, from the UCD School of Archaeology, on Thursday, 26th March at 19.00pm, for an illustrated talk examining the earliest historical and archaeological evidence for hurling and other stick and ball games in Ireland.
Son of a former Clare hurler, John O’Sullivan (1938-2006) of Killaloe, Dr. O’Sullivan is no stranger to the playing field. Former Minor Hurler with Wicklow, he is the owner of a Junior Hurling Championship Medal from 1988 with Valleymount GAC.
If Joe Canning was transported back to Early Christian times, it is unlikely he would have pucked around with a silver sliotar and bronze hurl as the story tells us the great Cú Chulainn did. It is likely that Joe would have entertained himself with a sliotar made from horse hair and a camán carved from the nearest branch.
The speaker will investigate the earliest hurley sticks and balls, the fields and playing grounds, the teams strategies and role of hurling in Irish society. The speaker will focus on Early Christian Ireland, using traces of archaeological evidence, combined with results of recent research into Irish literature and laws by medieval historians.
This talk is a must for all hurling enthusiasts as well as teachers, historians and archaeologists eager to explore in further detail the roots of hurling in Ireland.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Adults €10, Students/OAPs €7
Further information and booking: Contact Selina O’ Regan at the GAA Museum Tel 01 8192361 / 8192323, Email gaamuseum@crokepark.ie or visit www.gaa.ie/museum
Dr. Aidan O’Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer in UCD School of Archaeology with a research interest in early medieval Ireland (AD 400-1200) and leads a number of research programmes in Irish archaeology (e.g. www.emap.ie).
