Camogie Association and UCD launch new fellowship on the history of Camogie

Posted 4 April, 2024

A new Newman Fellowship that will serve as a lasting source for the social and sporting history of camogie has been announced in partnership with UCD and the Camogie Association.

Charting the broader community impact of the sport, the two year project will develop an archival database listing the historical records of the Camogie Association from its establishment to the current day, and develop a catalogue of records relevant to the emergence and growth of camogie. 

The work will also include a comprehensive history of Camogie in the context of social, community and sporting life in Ireland. 

In partnership with the UCD School of History, the Camogie Association will fund the Fellowship to the value of €120,000 over two years as a part of its 120th anniversary.

“The School of History at UCD is delighted to partner with the Camogie Association on this pioneering research project,” said (opens in a new window)Professor Paul Rouse, who will work with the Newman Fellow to ensure the project is completed in time for the organisation's 125th anniversary in 2029.

“The history of Camogie in Ireland is much more than the history of just a sport. It offers the opportunity to explore the changing place of women in Irish society across more than a century. This is a history that is rich and truly unique, and is central to the lives of generations of Irish women.”

Camogie Association President Hilda Breslin added: “Partnering with UCD enables us to develop an archival database of all of the history of the Association over the last 120 years. It also allows us to gather the relevant materials as there is currently no single catalogued archive of the Camogie Association.

“Records and items of historical value are currently kept in several locations, including the Croke Park Museum. It’s also likely that individuals have items of historical interest.” 

“As generations change, there is an imminent risk that these may be lost to the Association unless a project of collection and indexation is commenced. The Postdoctoral Fellow will develop an archival database of this material.” 

In 2018, Camogie, along with Hurling, was added to UNESCO’s list of protected cultural activities around the world.

To see the full proposal of the project, (opens in a new window)visit here.

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie