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Irish Bowling Association

Irish Bowling Association
SportBowls
JurisdictionIreland
AbbreviationIBA
Founded1904
AffiliationWorld Bowls
HeadquartersCo. Antrim, Northern Ireland
SecretaryJohn Millar
Official website
www.irishbowlingassociation.co.uk
Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland

The Irish Bowling Association is the governing body for the sport of bowls for men in Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.[1] The IBA also falls under the umbrella of the Irish Bowls Federation.[2]

History

Bowls in Ireland began with Scottish and English settlers in Northern Ireland during the 17th century.[citation needed]

In 1903, J. C. Hunter of Belfast visited England following an invitation by W.G. Grace and this led to five clubs forming the Irish Bowls Association (IBA) in 1904.[3] However, it was not until the affiliation of the Dublin-based Kenilworth Bowling Club to the IBA that the organisation encompassed all of Ireland.[4]

The Irish National Bowls Championships were inaugurated in 1908.[5][6]

The Irish Women's Bowling Association was formed in 1947 and as of 2024, Ireland was the only country from the leading bowls nations still to have separate associations for men and women.

Bowls players

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ireland". World Bowls. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Irish Bowls Federation (IBF)". Irish Bowls Federation (IBF). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  3. ^ Sullivan, Patrick (1986). Guinness Bowls – The Records. Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 44–47. ISBN 0-85112-414-3.
  4. ^ Hawkes/Lindley, Ken/Gerard (1974). Encyclopaedia of Bowls. Robert Hale and Company. pp. 138–142. ISBN 0-7091-3658-7.
  5. ^ Bolsover, Godfrey (1959). Who's Who and Encyclopaedia of Bowls. Rowland Publishers Ltd (Pre isbn).
  6. ^ "Previous Winners". Irish Bowling Association. Retrieved 2 January 2024.