Gavin CaseyI used to drive the Battleford Road out of Armagh regularly on a Sunday morning but today was the first time in years. 

I was unsurprised to encounter a group of road bowling enthusiasts where you would normally find them. There was a car in front of me so I took advantage of the space cleared for it and could pass through without much loss of momentum. I’d have been doing about 40 where you’d normally be doing 60. From the driver’s side of the road came slow down gestures and comments. 

This type of thing tends to have a triggering effect, almost as bad as the auld boys and young goddermen strolling down the middle of the road, backs to oncoming traffic, engrossed in conversation. They put up wee signs for drivers, ‘Caution Road Bowling’ and many appear to believe this absolves them from any caution regards moving vehicles. 

“It’s a traditional pastime done here for generations” the enthusiasts might say. So was triumphalist Orange marching through Nationalist areas but that irresponsible and dangerous activity has largely been curtailed despite the enthusiasts’ sense of entitlement. 

I personally believe road bowling on busy major roads is an irresponsible activity which endangers the lives of enthusiasts and road users alike. I don’t understand why it’s tolerated without any type of reasonable health and safety measures. There was road bowling in Boston among Armagh and Cork people; but it was done safely, in controlled environments, off the public roads. I think that should be the way here too. Busy roads are not the place for groups of pedestrians milling about with little concern for road safety and expecting others, operating machinery, to assume the responsibility on their behalf.

⏩ Gavin Casey is a scundered motorist from Tyrone.

Road Bowling ➖ Sporting Heritage Or Dangerous Jaywalking?

Gavin CaseyI used to drive the Battleford Road out of Armagh regularly on a Sunday morning but today was the first time in years. 

I was unsurprised to encounter a group of road bowling enthusiasts where you would normally find them. There was a car in front of me so I took advantage of the space cleared for it and could pass through without much loss of momentum. I’d have been doing about 40 where you’d normally be doing 60. From the driver’s side of the road came slow down gestures and comments. 

This type of thing tends to have a triggering effect, almost as bad as the auld boys and young goddermen strolling down the middle of the road, backs to oncoming traffic, engrossed in conversation. They put up wee signs for drivers, ‘Caution Road Bowling’ and many appear to believe this absolves them from any caution regards moving vehicles. 

“It’s a traditional pastime done here for generations” the enthusiasts might say. So was triumphalist Orange marching through Nationalist areas but that irresponsible and dangerous activity has largely been curtailed despite the enthusiasts’ sense of entitlement. 

I personally believe road bowling on busy major roads is an irresponsible activity which endangers the lives of enthusiasts and road users alike. I don’t understand why it’s tolerated without any type of reasonable health and safety measures. There was road bowling in Boston among Armagh and Cork people; but it was done safely, in controlled environments, off the public roads. I think that should be the way here too. Busy roads are not the place for groups of pedestrians milling about with little concern for road safety and expecting others, operating machinery, to assume the responsibility on their behalf.

⏩ Gavin Casey is a scundered motorist from Tyrone.

5 comments:

  1. It is not comparable to sectarian triumphalism, but more properly other annual sporting events like the North West 200, rallies, marathons, charity fun runs or cycle races etc... which have no heritage status. I agree safety might be improved... including that perhaps you could slow to 20-30?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christy, the analogy was in no way meant to compare road bowling with orange marches but rather to demonstrate that what is traditional isn't always safe or feasible in the modern world. Although the rhetoric, in retrospect, could have been toned down a notch or two. If there was proper marshalling which ensured people were off the road when vehicles are coming or it was done on a closed road like rally sports and motorbikes it would make a lot more sense and be a lot safer for everyone.

      Delete
  2. Shouldn't the cops have been there?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Road bowling, tractor shows and country'n'western music....bloody culchies! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for reminding us about a minority sport that is really only played in a few counties namely Armagh Louth Kerry and Cork that I can recall, many times I have encountered the young and the old practising this fine art on the Drogheda Baltray Rd Co Louth which is marshalled pretty good by men at the back and front to alert the traffic that something is taking place on this country road, this sport has an All-Ireland and World Championship which I have spectated on the occasions it has been held in Louth, any sport that attracts the youth and that is safe to play should be applauded. Once upon a time on a Sunday morning a man was going to Baltray to play golf when he happened upon these gentlemen he stopped and promptly lectured the men about the dangers of what they were doing, it was reported later that day that he was struck by a golf ball……… danger lurks everywhere

    ReplyDelete