School: Woodland (roll number 8464)

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1. Hurling and Football Matches

   

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   In olden times a game called Caman and now known as Hurley was always played on Boxing Day between two parishes. These were Glendowan and Glenswilly. This was the great Test Match of the season. It was played at Blown Rock about half way between Newmills and Churchill.

   A great number of people gathered to see this match being played. People walked distances of seven and eight miles to attend it. This game was played with a wooden ball made locally and the Camans or sticks used were all cut in the local woods. They were seasoned and shaped in the people's homes. A local dance was held convenient to the place where the game was played.

   This being an annual game people looked on it as a great event and often feeling ran very high between the supporters of each side. On many occasions free fights took place before the game was over. This place had three public houses and a great amount of money was spent in them that day and night.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
         1. entertainments and recreational activities (~5,933)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Henry Mc Cafferty

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Oldtown, Co. Donegal