Road Bowling Seeks UNESCO Status | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 6, 2026 · 2m

Séamus Ó Tuama, secretary of the Irish Road Bowling Association, is rallying for UNESCO recognition to save this unique Irish sport—where players hurl iron balls over mile-long courses—from fading into obscurity. With roots dating back to 1744 and a growing global following, road bowling faces survival challenges due to limited funding and volunteer shortages. Despite its athleticism and international appeal, it’s often dismissed by the public and even overlooked in national sports conversations—like the case of champion female player Kelly Mallon, who’s won twelve All-Ireland titles yet…