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WHEELING - The Wheeling Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians uses Irish Road Bowling as the major fundraiser for the organization.
This event, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, has been part of the Wheeling social scene since 2010. The money raised supports annual scholarships and local charities. In addition, the event has inadvertently become the AOH's major membership drive, as new members join each year after taking part and learning about the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Road bowling in Ireland has been played for centuries. It is mainly a rural sport where two bowlers compete against each other by throwing a small but heavy iron ball or bowl underhand along a meandering country road with curves and hills and the road or course can be as long as one or two miles, a good stretch of the legs. The winner is the bowler that navigates the course with the fewest number of throws. The game in Ireland is played mainly in the counties of Cork and Armagh with an All-Ireland champion being crowned each year.
In West Virginia, the sport has grown since the mid-1990s, with 18 road bowling events being held in 2026. It is played a little bit differently than the game in Ireland, and teams can be involved depending on the location. The Wheeling event is held in September each year. Each participant pays a fee which includes bowling, dinner, music and drinks. In 2010, the first year of the Wheeling's event, 26 teams participated. It is anticipated that in 2026 there will be over 100 teams with close to 1,000 bowlers participating. Many bowlers show up wearing a team uniform or T-shirt to express pride in their team. The Wheeling event is considered the largest road bowling gathering in the United States.
After the last iron ball has been bowled, everyone (the bowlers as well as those watching on the sidelines) enjoys a catered meal and live Irish music with the event lasting well into the evening. A trophy, named in honor of Fr. Jeremiah McSweeney, is awarded to the team that has the fewest throws. Fr. McSweeney, originally from Rossmore, Co. Cork, has ministered to Roman Catholics throughout West Virginia since his arrival in the 1970's.
The group is also proud to announce that Parker Henry, one of the members of the division, took top honors at the North American Irish Road Bowling national championships in August 2026. Henry took home the championship trophy in Grade 4 in the Bol Chumann na hEirean North American Region Finals which were held in Ireland, West Virginia this year. His brother, Paul Henry, won the same trophy in Grade 4 last year. Many of his competitors were Irish born, so we are delighted to have a true son of West Virginia as this year's Grade 4 champion. Due to his win, he will now move to Grade 3 in 2026. The 2027 championship will take place in New York State.
The Henry boys learned road bowling from their father Pat and honed their skills at Wheeling, West Virginia's annual road bowling championship held every September. They have put their team back together and will be in Wheeling this year to compete. They will be available for autographs.
Ultimately, the funds raised are used to assist those in need in the Ohio Valley. Not only is the event for a good cause, but it has increased the popularity of Irish road bowling in West Virginia and created a great outing for family and friends. Irish road bowling is open to all who want to participate.
This year's event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Sonneborn Shelter near Wheeling Park High School. Registration and check-in start at 11 a.m. The cost is $50 per person.
For more information, to print a form or to pre-register on-line, visit the Facebook page: facebook.com/roadbowling or call 740-695-5610. Venmo and Paypal payments are accepted.