About Hurling Tours Ireland
At Hurling Tours Ireland, we offer visitors a truly unique and memorable way to experience Irish culture through our most ancient and passionate sport, hurling.
Founded in the home of hurling, Kilkenny, our tours give guests the chance to step into the heartbeat of Irish tradition. We bring you beyond the usual tourist experience and invite you to take part in something that has been part of Ireland’s story for thousands of years.
Hurling is more than just a game. It is a proud symbol of Irish identity, community, and spirit. Played with unmatched skill, speed, and intensity, it is often described as the fastest field sport in the world. Every swing of the hurley tells a story of heritage and passion passed down through generations.
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You would be mad to visit Ireland without giving our national sport a try. During your tour, you will uncover the fascinating history of hurling, how it has evolved from ancient Celtic roots, and how it continues to thrive today in towns and villages across the country. You will also learn why hurling holds such a special place in Irish hearts and why it has become a source of pride for communities everywhere.
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Your experience begins in a real hurling team’s dressing room in Kilkenny City, where you can feel the excitement and energy that fills the air on match day. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the sport, you will learn the rules, hear stories from local players, and gain insight into what makes hurling such an important part of Irish life. Then, once you are up to speed, it is time to step out onto the field of dreams to try it for yourself. Test your skills, have some fun, and even take your own shot at the goalposts, just like the famous Kilkenny Cats.
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The tour is designed for everyone, regardless of age or ability, and it is guaranteed to leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Many of our visitors have told us it was the highlight of their trip to Ireland. We have welcomed guests from all over the world — from Canada, the USA, Australia, and beyond — who have fallen in love with hurling and promised to join their local GAA clubs when they return home.
At Hurling Tours Ireland, we believe that sport brings people together and offers a true connection to Irish life, past and present. Whether you are travelling solo, with family, or in a group, this experience will give you a genuine sense of what community and pride mean in Ireland.
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It is never too late to try something new, and there is no better way to do it than through a sport that lies at the very heart of Irish culture and community.
My name is James Kavanagh, and I created Hurling Tours Ireland in 2018 because of my lifelong love for our native sport, hurling. Being from Kilkenny, all I have known since I was five years old is hurling and the joy of playing it every day. I would race home after school to hit the ball off the wall and practice my skills for hours on end. Nothing quite compares to the exhilaration and excitement of my playing days, but now I get that same great feeling from teaching both the young and the experienced about the game I love.
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After working for many years in the beautiful Kilkenny Castle, I was asked countless times by visitors about hurling. People were always curious, wondering what sport everyone around the city was playing and what those ‘wooden weapons’ were that every child seemed to carry. I loved explaining the game to them and seeing their reactions as they learned about its history and spirit.
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I was often surprised by how many visitors had never heard of this incredible sport. That curiosity and enthusiasm inspired me to create Hurling Tours Ireland, with the goal of sharing the story, culture, and excitement of hurling with people from all over the world.