06/12/2026
West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association announces state finals June 27, 28, and national finals August 1 & 2, in Ireland, West Virginia
The non-profit West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association will hold the WV State Championship on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, 2026. Semi-finals in four grades will take place Saturday, finals on Sunday, in Ireland, West Virginia, where the sport began in 1995. On August 1, August 2 the best players from Irish communities in New York and Boston, will come to Ireland, WV, for the USA national championship in the ancient sport.
Winners in the national championship will advance to the All-Ireland Finals in the Country of Ireland in September. In recent years, West Virginia has sponsored eight players to the All-Irelands.
Spectators are welcome at both the state and national championships. The tournaments are free and spectators walk with the bowlers. Expect to see shots of 250 or even 300 yards on a narrow country road launched by the best players in West Virginia, and in the nationals, the best players from Boston and New York.
Very often matches come down to the final throw over the finish line, which is more than a mile from the start.
One of the oldest sports in the world, Irish road bowling goes back to the 1600s in Ireland. An iron and steel “bowl” the size of a baseball is thrown down a one to two mile country road. Fewest throws to a finish line wins.
In the West Virginia state championship, Andy Shay of Buckhannon is the highest rated bowler in Grade 1. Grade II features veteran players Travis Craig of Ireland, WV, Bryan Wimer of Morgantown, Travis McClintic of Lewisburg, Ben Putnam of Elkins, Morgan Ware of Buckhannon, and Eric Bee of West Union. In Grade III, Wayne Marrs of West Union, Paul Henry of Wheeling and Rich Meece of Beckley have all competed nationally.
In Grade IV, which is for new players, Robb Goldwire, Jason Lavendar, and Shane Latamar have traveled from Tennessee and qualified for the West Virginia State Championship.
The State of Tennessee recognized the tourism and recreation potential of this ancient sport and has established a program supporting road bowling in rural communities state – wide.
Begun in 1995 in Ireland, WV, West Virginia road bowling, now has more than 20 events statewide March to November, and has become known among the Irish communities where it is played in Wampatuck State Park south of Boston, and in East Durham, New York, in the Irish Catskills.
On August 1 and 2, the best players from New York and Boston will be coming to Ireland, WV, to play against West Virginia in the national finals. Winners in Grades I and II will advance to the All Ireland Finals in September. In years past the WVIRBA has sponsored eight players to Ireland or Holland. Among the international players coming to West Virginia from Boston are 5 -time All Ireland Champion Florrie O Mahoney, his son Sean O Mahoney, Darren ODonnabhain, Brendan O Donovan, Brendan Fleming, all of them All Ireland Champions. From New York, 5-time All Ireland Champion Adrian Lappin, Fergal Carr, Pa Joe Sullivan, all of them All Ireland Champions.
With competitors so skilled, shots often roll 200, 250, even 300 yards, on a narrow country road. These throws are amazing to see. Spectators are invited to walk with the players, both the state finals June 27 and 28, and the national finals August 1 and 2 are free and open to the public. When this ancient began on Wildcat Road, Ireland, West Virginia, in 1995, who knew it would be back where it all began as a national finals in 2026!
Send a message to learn more
