Origins of Hurling
The game of hurling has a rich history that dates back several centuries. It is believed to have originated in Ireland, where it was played on a field with a ball and a stick. The game was originally known as "hurling" and was played by Irish warriors to train and sharpen their battle skills. Over time, the game evolved and became more popular, spreading to other parts of Europe and eventually to other countries around the world. Today, it is a popular sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
Ancient Hurley and Mythology
It is difficult to say with any certainty what kinds of hurley were in use a thousand years ago but when the mythology of old Ireland was first recorded in the TAIN in the 13th century, the heroes of ancient times, Cuchulainn and Fionn McCool, according to legend, used metal hurley of gold, silver and bronze. It is likely that the understanding of the storytellers of these terms passed on from remote ages, refers to hurleys banded and artistically decorated with metal hoops of gold, silver and bronze adornments. The implied value of these hurleys was always associated with Royalty. Stories abound of embroidered hurleys as jewels befitting a royal household that would be left as a legal inheritance.
Skills of Legendary Hurlers
Cuhulainn had three special hurling skills - to strike the ball again before it fell, to run the length of the field with the ball on the bas of the hurley and take on single-handed a whole opposing team which Fionn McCool also did the day he got his surname. That is probably why they both achieved immortality on the hurling field. While the third feat may have been the prerogative of the great Celtic heroes, the ball into the air time and time again, and carrying the ball on the bas of the hurley - soloing - is something schoolboy hurlers practice to this day. This shows that the arts and skills practised over generations still resonate with hurlers of today.
Standardization by the GAA
A wide number of hurley types were in use in Ireland in ancient times and varieties of play were associated with them until the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884 which adopted the bossed Hurley as the standard for the future.
Timber Shortages and Innovation
Before that, each man had his type of hurley. In ancient times before the forests of Ireland were plundered by the aristocracy, there was no difficulty procuring timber for hurleys. In the early 1800s, millions of trees were felled by the landlords for the production of half caskets, hogs heads, and barrels which along with timber for the British fleet, were exported. This resulted in an ongoing game of cat and mouse with the landlords, their bailiffs and the hurlers as timber was stolen for hurley making.
Hurley Craftsmanship
From November to the following April, the making of hurleys was the topic of conversation every Sunday and holiday among the ordinary people. The young men would go to the woods by day and seek and mark a good stump of fresh ash with a fine natural curve. A judgement would be made as to how many hurleys it would yield. The tree would be cut on a moonless night in wintertime, as long ago amongst the Celts, certain trees including the ash tree were cut down during certain phases of the moon. There were also certain incantations linked to this work. The timber was then spirited away despite the watchful eyes of the bailiffs.
Superstitions and Fairies
There were however certain places, where hurlers were greatly in fear of cutting ash for hurleys. These areas were known as “Nobel “ places, where “the little people', the fairies, had a residence or dwelling. Tales were widespread of juveniles or youngsters who ignored this advice and who did not get on well afterwards. If they wanted to win a match it would not be of help to cut a hurley in a place that had the name of being” Noble “.While fairies were associated with bringing good fortune, they were also associated with bad luck and even death. They were sometimes called The Hurlers of Death. That hurling stories were infused with the magical and the supernatural, shows how deep-rooted hurling was in Irish folklore.
Preferred Woods for Hurleys
Of the woods used to make hurleys, ash, furze, willow, oak, holly, elm, elder, white thorn, blackthorn larch, poplar and yew are mentioned regarding ash, three kinds of growth would be suitable for hurley material. The straight growth but with a twisted root, the growth itself to be twisted, or the growth to be completely straight so that it had to be bent after cutting. It was believed that there was no timber more suitable than ash, as it was light and strong and that it grew in the shape of a hurley. A dozen hurleys could be made from a piece of ash with the correct shape.
Methods of Shaping Hurleys
When the material for the hurley was cut, if there was insufficient turn in it, they used to immerse it in a pot and boil it for a couple of hours. It was then soft enough to bend to the correct shape. Other methods used to bend the hurley were to put it in a pigs-through, in the water of boiling turnips or to soften it with steam. Another strategy was to leave the hurley under a foot and a half of horse dung under the belief that hurleys should always be properly seasoned. Some applied linseed oil to the hurley which was then hung in an open chimney, taken down after a week and the treatment repeated. Others used the lard of a goose on the hurley, hanging it up the chimney, so that the smoke would rise under it, hardening and drying with the grease penetrating the timber with the heat.
The Hurley as a Prized Possession
So prized was the hurley in those days that any youth who had one had a special regard for it. It was said that many youngsters carried their treasured possessions to bed with them.
Evolution to the CuHurl
From this heritage, the CuHurl is born. From this constant evolution, the CuHurl has emerged to share our ancient sport with our most faithful friend. A refinement of the ancient game played by Fionn McCool and his faithful dog Bran and Sceolang, hurling the ball, catching the ball, fetching the ball, actions as old as time, between man and dog. The CuHurl adapts to time and place, urban settings, parks and beaches, back gardens and communal spaces, fewer hounds, more small and medium-sized dogs, chasing and retrieving the ball to their hearts delight, giving exercise and playtime to dog and man in an unbroken cycle.
The magic continues.
Part II
The Global Legacy of Hurling and Camogie
In the heart of Ireland, a sport as ancient as the hills has gained significant international recognition. Hurling, a game of speed, skill, and passion, was honored in 2018 when it was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This prestigious recognition highlights hurling’s cultural, social, and historical importance, not just within Ireland but across the globe.
The UNESCO designation acknowledges hurling as a vital element of Ireland’s living heritage, emphasizing its role in shaping Irish identity and tradition. This status not only helps safeguard the sport for future generations but also raises awareness of its cultural significance worldwide.
Interestingly, hurling is not alone in its legacy. Several nations have their own versions of stick-and-ball games that echo the spirit of hurling:
Shinty (Scotland): In the rugged Scottish Highlands, shinty is played with a ball and a curved stick. Much like hurling, the objective is to hit the ball into the opponent’s goal. This game, steeped in Scottish tradition, shares many similarities with its Irish counterpart.
Cammag (Isle of Man): On the Isle of Man, cammag is a traditional sport that resembles both hurling and shinty. Played with a stick and a ball, the rules of cammag are flexible, often varying from one village to another, reflecting the local customs and traditions.
Bandy (England and Wales): Historically played in England and Wales, bandy involves hitting a ball with a stick, similar to field hockey, but on ice. While not as closely related to hurling as shinty or cammag, bandy shares the fundamental concept of using a stick to control and hit a ball, showcasing the evolution of stick-and-ball sports across different regions.
These games highlight the shared cultural heritage and the evolution of similar sports across various regions, each adding its unique flavour to the global tapestry of stick-and-ball games.
Camogie (Ireland)
In Ireland, another sport closely related to hurling is camogie, an Irish stick-and-ball team sport played by women. Camogie, first played in 1904, is governed by the Camogie Association based in Dublin. With over 100,000 registered players and 536 clubs worldwide, camogie has a significant presence.
The game is played with a hurley (a curved wooden stick) and a sliotar (a small ball). Each team consists of 15 players, including one goalkeeper. The objective is to score points by hitting the sliotar into the opponent’s goal (worth 3 points) or over the crossbar (worth 1 point).
Camogie has its own set of rules and differences from hurling. For instance, camogie games last 60 minutes, divided into two 30-minute halves. Players can hand pass a point over the bar, but hand-passing a goal is forbidden. A smaller sliotar is used in camogie compared to hurling, and side-to-side charges are not allowed. Additionally, players must wear skirts or skorts rather than shorts.
Camogie is an important part of Irish culture and heritage, recognized by UNESCO as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The annual All-Ireland Camogie Championship is a major event, attracting large audiences both in stadiums and on television. While primarily played in Ireland, camogie has a growing presence in countries with Irish communities, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Through the recognition of hurling and camogie, the world is reminded of the rich cultural heritage these sports represent, celebrating their significance and ensuring their legacy for future generations.
