Medieval hurling stick found preserved in bog.

In April 1981, an extraordinary piece of sporting history was unearthed in the townland of Derries near Edenderry, Co. Offaly, a medieval hurling stick, preserved in a bog for centuries.

A Stick Through Time – The Medieval Hurling Stick of Offaly

Remarkably intact, the stick was radiocarbon dated to between AD 1467 and 1531, placing it firmly in the late 15th to early 16th century. That makes it over 500 years old, not just 200, a rare and tangible link to the early roots of stick-and-ball games in Ireland.

Crafted from alder wood, the stick measures:

• 95 cm in length
• 6.5 cm at the bas (head)

It offers us a unique glimpse into the tools of the game from a time when sport, craft, and community were deeply entwined.

Recreating History

To better understand the shape, feel, and balance of this medieval artefact, a modern replica was commissioned. The team at The Star Hurley Co., Kilkenny, led by master hurley maker David Dowling, created a faithful copy using traditional methods and tools.

The result is more than just a model, it’s a working example of heritage in motion, showing how design and function have evolved while remaining rooted in the same practical needs: control, power, balance, and grip.

Modern wide hurling sticks only became standard in the late 19th century, when the rules of the modern game were first codified by the GAA. Prior to this there were actually two hurling traditions in Ireland. In the north of the country a winter game, very similar to modern day shinty, was played mainly on the ground with a narrow stick and a hard ball. The second form of the game, or Leinster hurling, was played with a broader hurley and a softer ball and was much more like modern day hurling. Players could pick up the ball, catch and strike it as well as soloing down the field. Although the GAA used both forms as an inspiration for the game it organised in the late nineteenth century, Leinster hurling had more of an influence in the evolution of the game.

Why It Matters

At Tanera Camans, we draw inspiration from these stories, they remind us that the caman, like the hurley, is part of a long and proud tradition of stick making across the Celtic world. Whether pulled from a bog or fresh off the workbench, these sticks represent centuries of play, skill, and craftsmanship.

Holding a replica of a 500-year-old hurling stick isn’t just a nod to history, it’s a reminder that what we hold in our hands today is built on generations of knowledge and culture.

Side-by-Side: A Medieval Hurley, a Modern Hurley & a Modern Shinty Caman

Above: A wide-blade hurling stick, made by The Star Hurley Co,

Below a modern-day shinty caman crafted at Tanera Camans. This side-by-side view offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of stick sports, showing both the shared roots and the distinct paths that hurling and shinty have taken in their development. Differences in shape, weight, and curve reflect the unique styles of play, while the craftsmanship in both remains a testament to the enduring tradition of handmade wooden sticks.

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