
What is recorded here
Three handball alleys were constructed in mass concrete against the rendered random stone walls of a former two-storey national school. Alleys were extended in 1879 and 1897, before becoming disused in 1965. Contains remnants of tiered precast concrete seating and steps to ball alleys, and blocked window openings with stone sills to school building. Date plaque to school in partition wall.
Handball was one of the sports promoted by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and was very popular throughout Ireland during the first half of the twentieth century when most towns and villages constructed a handball alley. The decline in popularity of the sport in the latter half of the twentieth century resulted in their disuse and sometimes demolition, with the result that they are becoming increasingly rare. This group of handball alleys has social significance for its ability to provide information about the fluctuations in popularity of this sport.
This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.
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Photo: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage · Website use allowed for educational or private purposes with source credit