Game, Set, Match: The History of Sports in Irish Society
This virtual trail explores the social, political, cultural, and economic significance of sport in Ireland through artefacts on display throughout the Museum. The stories of these objects, ranging from the 1500s up to the present day, can tell us about wider themes like the relationship of sport to social class, gender, and clothing, as well as historical concepts of domestic and garrison games. Sports history gains relevance not from looking just at specific results or individual moments, but by examining what sport can reveal about Irish society and the lives individuals lived within it.
There are eight stops on the virtual trail which correspond to the locations of the objects in the Museum. But feel free to explore them in whatever order you like.
Stop 1 - Photographs of D" Company, 7th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Gallery 25: Recovered Voices
Stop 2 - Sporting vest of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers & 19th Century Football, Gallery 15: Soldiers & Chiefs
Stop 3 - Hair hurling ball or sliotar and Camán, Gallery 1: Curator's Choice
Stop 4 - Kildare Cup Racing Trophy, Gallery 4: Irish Silver
Stop 5 - Prize Medal for Literature, Tailteann Games, 1932, Gallery 3: Airgead
Stop 6 - Cricket Coat, Gallery 12: The Way We Wore
Stop 7: Frongoch Rugby Ball and Michael Collins' Hurl, Gallery 10: GAA: People, Objects & Stories
Stop 8: Maeve Gilroy's Tweed Camogie Dress, Gallery 10: GAA: People, Objects & Stories