Gaelic games

Gaelic games are a set of sports that started in Ireland and are very popular there, though people all over the world play them too. These games include Gaelic football, hurling, Gaelic handball, and rounders. The two most popular ones are Gaelic football and hurling, and they are managed by the Gaelic Athletic Association, known as the GAA.

There are also women's versions of these games. Women play a version of hurling called camogie, which is managed by the Camogie Association of Ireland, and they play a version of Gaelic football called ladies' Gaelic football, managed by the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association. These women's games are closely linked to the GAA but are run by their own organisations.

Gaelic games clubs can be found all around the world. In Ireland, these games are the most popular, even more so than rugby union and association football. In 2017, almost a million people watched the main championship games, showing just how many people love these sports. They were even shown at the Château de Vincennes during the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking the first time Gaelic football and hurling had featured at the Olympics since 1904.

Gaelic football

Further information: Gaelic football

Gaelic football is a fun sport played by teams of 15 players on a grass field. Each team has H-shaped goals at each end. The goal is to score by kicking the ball through the goals, which counts as 3 points, or by kicking the ball over the bar, which counts as 1 point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. There is also a version for girls called ladies' Gaelic football, which is almost the same but has a few small rule differences. Smaller versions of the game with fewer players are enjoyed in many places around the world.

Hurling

Further information: Hurling

Hurling is an exciting game where two teams of 15 players try to score points by hitting a ball into a special goal or over a bar. The team with the most points wins! This game has been played for over three thousand years and is very fast, mixing moves from sports like lacrosse and hockey. Girls play a similar game called camogie, with just a few rules that are different. Hurling is also enjoyed in many countries around the world with smaller teams and fields.

Gaelic handball

Further information: Gaelic handball

Gaelic handball is a fun game where two players hit a ball against a wall using only their hands. It is similar to American handball. There are different ways to play, like Softball, 4-Wall, 1-Wall, and Hardball. 1-Wall handball is very popular and is played in more than 30 countries. The GAA Handball takes care of the sport in Ireland.

Rounders

Further information: GAA rounders

Rounders is a simple bat-and-ball game enjoyed in Ireland, with a version also played in Britain. It is managed by a group called the Rounders Council of Ireland, which is part of the larger organization that runs Gaelic games. This sport shares similarities with the American game known as softball.

Other Gaelic games

Some other Gaelic games, like Gaelic athletics, are no longer played much today. The Gaelic Athletic Association used to organize competitions for Gaelic athletics, but in 1922, they gave this job to the National Athletic and Cycling Association. The Tailteann Games included Gaelic athletics until they stopped in 1932.