Ireland’s national game of hurling is deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of the Irish people. The story of hurling stretches back to Irish Mythology. This edition of ‘The Geansaí’ looks at the role the hurley and hurling has in our Irish identity and history. Deeply entwined in all that is the fruit of the Ash Tree, the Hurley, one of the most finely tuned sporting implements in the world.
Tá áit speisialta ag an iomáint i gcroithe na nGael, agus tá lucht féachana an chluiche faoi gheasa síoraí ag áilleacht na h-imeartha. Gan aon cheist, tá sé deacair an iomáint a shárú ó thaobh scile agus draiochta de. Agus is íontach an ceol a bhaintear as an gcamán.
What makes this piece of curved wood so uniquely Irish and why do we love the clash of the ash? There is a special connection between a player and their hurley – the length, the weight, the balance, the size of the bas, whether or not to place strips of tin on the bas? the type of grip to use – these are all factors to consider when producing the most bespoke and effective hurley to suit a player’s style. There are not too many other sports in the world which can yield such a special bond between stick and player. And God forbid if your favourite hurley breaks during training or a match!!
We look at how the shape of the hurley has changed over the years and visit the ‘Lár na Páirce’ museum in Thurles which houses over a century of hurleys held by legendary players of the past. Seosamh Breathnach, a young Dublin hurley maker of today, is passionate about the art and craft involved in making and mending hurleys and his belief is that you don’t pick the hurley, the hurley picks you. There are also contributions from eminent historian and hurling fan Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, commentators Seán Bán Breathnach and Ger Canning and former players John Allen and Diarmuid Lyng.
The programme also features a re-enactment of the first ever All-Ireland Hurling Final from 1887 between Thurles Sarsfields of Tipperary and Meelick of Galway.
“Nuair a bheidh mise faoi cré na cille agus na nóiníní á bhrú suas agam is doigh go mbeidh an iomáaíocht fós ag bláthú.”
John Allen – Iar imreoir agus bainisteoir Chorcaí
“Agus arís eile bhi camáin a núsáid in áit ghunnaí ag na hÓglaigh roimh 1914 agus fiú amháin ag amannta áirthe ina dhiaidh mar gur chomhartha é ar dháíríreacht an Náisiúin.”
Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh – Staraí
Presenter / Reporter Garry Mac Donncha
Producer / Director Seán Ó Méalóid