Irish Road Bowling Returns To Wheeling Park
Trending
The roads around Wheeling Park will be teeming with bowlers Saturday afternoon, as Irish road bowling once again takes over the area - all for a good cause.
The Wheeling Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold its annual road bowling fundraiser Saturday from the event's headquarters at Wheeling Park's Sonneborn Shelter. Registration and check-in begins at noon.
This event has been held in Wheeling since 2010, when the Hibernians decided they needed an event that could assist in raising funds. A group of the Hibernians attended an Irish road bowling event in Kingwood to determine if road bowling could be organized in a way that would help raise funds. After attending the event they took that model and fine-tuned it to meet the organization's goal and created a major fundraiser.
The Wheeling Division of the AOH now uses Irish road bowling as its largest fundraising event of the year. 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. A mainly rural sport, it is played along country roads with curves and hills. Typically, two players alternate taking a turn throwing a small but heavy iron ball or bowl underhand along the road. The winner is the one who can navigate the planned course in the fewest number of throws.
The sport has grown In West Virginia, with 17 road bowling events being held in 2024. Hundreds are expected to participate this year. After the last iron ball has been bowled, bowlers and spectators enjoy 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. McSweeney, originally from Rossmore, Co. Cork, has ministered to Roman Catholics throughout West Virginia since his arrival in the 1970's. He attends the event each year.
This is a rain or shine event. For more information, to print a form or to pre-register online, please visit the event's Facebook page at facebook.com/roadbowling or call 740-695-5610. Venmo payments are accepted on the Facebook page.