Irish road bowling, popular in Ireland for over 300 years, is returning to Central New York!
Onondaga County Parks is hosting the 4th Annual Irish Road Bowling Tournament on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Click here for 2013 winners and team scores.
What is Irish Road Bowling?
Part golf, part bocce, part bowling. . .
The rules are simple - hurl a small 28 oz.
cannonball along a two mile "country road."
Players must throw underhanded. Scoring is similar to golf - the
least amount of throws needed to complete the course wins. Teams
of four will compete against other teams to see who can cross the
finish line in the fewest number of throws.
Here's a few bowling terms to get you started...
- Bowl or Bullet - the 28 oz. small cannonball
- Butt - the throwing mark on the road. To step over the mark before releasing the bowl is to "break butt."
- Faugh a Ballach! or Faugh a Ballagh! - Clear the Way! A traditional Irish battle cry
- Kitter-Paw - a left-handed thrower.
- Stylish Bowler - a bowler with a smooth well-coordinated delivery.
- Craic - fun or good time
Rules of Play Click to View »Hide »
The Start: The thrower marks his or her start point with a chalk line and stands behind this line. The thrower's team mates (called the "showers") stand 20-30 yards down the road to mark the desired path of the bowl and alert spectators and other players that the bowl is coming.
The Grip: Players should grip the bowl with the thumb and index and/or middle finger. The bowl should be thrown from the fingers, not from the palm.
The Throw: Experienced bowlers will take a running start and release the bowl at the start line. Novice players find that taking two or three steps is sufficient. The bowl should fly through the air for a few yards before striking the road surface. Don"t cross your chalk line and "break the butt."
The Shot: From wherever the bowl stops "not where it leaves the road surface" where it is taken directly to the nearest point on the road. Mark the ‚ "butt‚" so the next player can throw from that point.
The Finish: After your team's last shot, turn in your score card and clear the way for incoming bullets.
Play Safe and Play Smart: It is your responsibility as a player to make sure that everyone ahead of you on the road is facing you. NEVER throw your bullet to a person's back. Do not be shy about yelling ‚ "Rolling!‚" or "Clear the way!‚" or "Faugh a ballach!" Never stop the bullet with your foot or hand. Those really are cannonballs and they were designed for mortal combat.
When & Where
Sunday, March 17, 2013
11:00 am
Shoreline Walking Trail
Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool NY
Teams will "tee off" from 11am-2pm and the outdoor fun will continue along the scenic two mile route capped off by a mid afternoon awards celebration.
Registration & Start will be at the Saw Mill Creek Shelter. Located in the Willow Bay section of the park.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. In addition, prizes will be awarded to teams with the best decorated shirts and cannonball.
Awards Celebration
Everyone is invited, following the tournament, to White Water Pub, located next to the park. In addition to announcing the award winners, participants will be treated to a complimentary Irish-style buffet.
Registration
Teams are made up of 4 people and may be co-ed or same-sex.
- $100 per team
Click here to download registration form. Registration now open.
Registration & Start will be at the Saw Mill Creek Shelter. Located in the Willow Bay section of the park.
Day of the Event
Registration & Start will be at the Saw Mill Creek Shelter. Located in the Willow Bay section of the park.- Check-in begins at 10:00am.
- Teams will begin play at 11:00am.
- Plan to park one car at the start and one at the finish (near the Salt Museum) or you will have to walk back down the trail to your vehicle.
- Awards Ceremony and refreshments for all participants.
Onondaga County Parks places a top priority on the safe and legal use of alcoholic beverages. No person under 21 may possess or consume alcoholic beverages in the park. Coolers are not allowed along the course. Alcohol may be brought in and consumed only in designated areas at the beginning and end of the course. Quantity is limited to one six pack of beer (12 oz. cans) per person in cans or plastic. Please drink responsibly.
Thanks to our Sponsors
For More Info
Leiko Benson
Onondaga Lake Park
315-453-6712
lbenson@ongov.net
Volunteers Wanted
For Registration Table and Trail Marshalls.
Contact Friends of Historic Onondaga Lake
foholcontact@gmail.com
