Irish Bowling Association

Governing body for the sport of bowls for men in Ireland

JurisdictionIreland

AbbreviationIBA

Founded1904

Irish Bowling Association
Official website

Sport	Bowls
Jurisdiction	Ireland
Abbreviation	IBA
Founded	1904
Affiliation	World Bowls
Headquarters	Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Secretary	John Millar
www.irishbowlingassociation.co.uk
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The Irish Bowling Association is the governing body for the sport of bowls for men in Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the promotion and development of lawn bowls in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is affiliated with the world governing body World Bowls.^[1] The IBA also falls under the umbrella of the Irish Bowls Federation.^[2]

Bowls in Ireland began with Scottish and English settlers in Northern Ireland during the 17th century.^[3]

In 1903, J. C. Hunter of Belfast visited England following an invitation by W.G. Grace and this led to five clubs forming the Irish Bowls Association (IBA) in 1904.^[3] However, it was not until the affiliation of the Dublin-based Kenilworth Bowling Club to the IBA that the organisation encompassed all of Ireland.^[4]

The Irish National Bowls Championships were inaugurated in 1908.^[5]^[6]

The Irish Women's Bowling Association was formed in 1947 and as of 2024, Ireland was the only country from the leading bowls nations still to have separate associations for men and women.

Bowls players

Further information: Category:Male lawn bowls players from Northern Ireland

Further information: Category:Female lawn bowls players from Northern Ireland

Further information: Category:Lawn bowls players from the Republic of Ireland

References

↑ "Ireland". World Bowls. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
↑ "Irish Bowls Federation (IBF)". Irish Bowls Federation (IBF). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
1 2 Sullivan, Patrick (1986). Guinness Bowls – The Records. Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 44–47. ISBN 0-85112-414-3.
↑ Hawkes/Lindley, Ken/Gerard (1974). Encyclopaedia of Bowls. Robert Hale and Company. pp. 138–142. ISBN 0-7091-3658-7.
↑ Bolsover, Godfrey (1959). Who's Who and Encyclopaedia of Bowls. Rowland Publishers Ltd (Pre isbn).
↑ "Previous Winners". Irish Bowling Association. Retrieved 2 January 2024.

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