Map of Handball Alleys

https://irishhandballalley.humap.site/map This new map feature is part of the IRISH HANDBALL ALLEY project. It shows the handball alleys recorded by the project since 2007 and gives approximate locations for other alleys yet to be found. Over the next few months, contributions in the form of text, photos, audio and video recordings, can be added directly to the map. The map was completed by Áine Ryan in August and September 2024 thanks to support from GAA Handball as well as significant voluntary assistance from Róisín Ryan. Read More......

Ballyfin, Co. Laois

since demolished alley on grounds of Patrician College in Ballyfin, Co. Laois The photographs showing the alley in background are from the book "Patrician College Ballyfin 1930-2009" by Ciarán Tinkler and were provided by K. Healion in August 2024 Read More......

Cobh GAA, Co. Cork

Alley at Cobh GAA grounds, photograph Dec 2011, from G. Loughran Read More......

St. Coman's, Ardanagh, Roscommon Town

Interior photographs by E. Timoney, June 2024; exterior photographs by A. Cunningham, July 2024 Read More......

Map of handball alley locations included in Foundations to Future exhibition at GAA Museum

A map showing the locations of 550 alleys compiled by this project between 2007 and 2020 can be viewed in the exhibition Foundations to Future at the GAA Museum, from June 2024 to June 2025. The map is based on a set being produced by Charlie Roche for an essay by Áine Ryan on 'handball alley distribution and court types' in the forthcoming book (2025) Atlas of Irish Sport (Cork University Press), edited by John Crowley, Mike Cronin, Cormac Moore, Charlie Roche. The above image is a compilation of draft version of some maps in this set. They show the distribution pattern in three distinct phases of handball alley construction in Ireland between the mid 1700s and mid 1900s. Read More......

St. Aloysius College, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

St. Aloysius College, Athlone, former religious boys' secondary school Photographs provided by M.Geogehan Read More......

Ardfert, Co. Kerry

Cornelius Varley, 1781–1873, British, Ardfert Cathedral, Kerry, Ireland, undated, Watercolor, gray wash and graphite on medium, slightly textured, cream wove paper, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, B1977.14.4337. (copyright: Public Domain) Information provided by K. Whelan to the following statement in an Ulster Museum catalogue describing another Varley painting: "A large unfinished watercolour by Varley, Ardfert, Kerry, Ireland, in the Yale Center for British Art B1977.14.4337, presumably has its origin on the same Irish tour. It shows the cathedral ruins from the south, with a small church in front, and some boys apparently playing handball on the right". Read More......

Shannonbridge, Co. Roscommon

Photographed by S. Ryan, February 2024 This alley was built against the fortification walls of an English artillary barracks and across the road from an infantry barracks. A local person heard over the years that handball was played there into the 1930s and 1940s. Read More......

The Model School, The Mall, Sligo Town

Use of photograph purchased from Historical Picture Archive Messages under posting of this historical photograph on Sligo Heritage and History Facebook-page, by A. O'Neill on 5.2.24

Person 1: I believe the last photo - with the handball alley on the ‘left’ of the school building…is actually “St. Mary’s Brothers” school (that I attended), which was built adjoining/alongside ‘The Model’ on the ‘right’ of St. Mary’s.

Person 2: In my young days that's where we played all our Handball and Football. We played on the hard surface and there were many Cuts and Bruises along the way.We even had the odd celebrity who played there I,E. Ski McGee. No doubt that's where he honed his skills and learned from the Duignans, Walpoles,Hartes,Cunningham's ,MC Dermotte's Rooney's and Feehily's known as the Mall Brigade with a sprinkling of warriors from Bridge Street.

Person 3: Great to see a photo of where we spent many a happy day playing as kids. The ball alley had a missing brick where a ball would lodge but sometimes it might dislodge a ball already there. The photo is old, as the veranda (in the picture) was demolished in the 1950s to be replaced by a standard concrete one. The contractor was Josie Scanlon God bless him as he put plenty of lead in the roof which we removed in small pieces when we needed the money for the mattnee.

Person 4: Went there to I was the fire lighter And have to go at around 11 am to get Conan a nagin

Person 1: Br. Flannan’s “St. Mary’s Ceili Band” stories on Monday mornings were a highlight. If I recall correctly Tommy Higgins, Ray Wickham, John Brey, Padraig McManus, Andy Healy…were members of the band who had some great gigs/fun playing in the “Hanger”, Salthill, Galway

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Ballynamult, Co. Waterford

This alley is indicated on 1841 ordnance survey but has been adapted into an enclosed structure on ordnance surveys. The original alley is indicated as one-sided (lhs in top photo), but seems to have been a back-to-back for some period of time.
Photographed by Á. Ryan, October 2023. Read More......

Half House, Co. Waterford

Alley at crossroads on opposite side of road to Half House pub. Location information provided by P.Melody, M. Quinlan and L. Kealy. Photographed by Á.Ryan, October 2023. Read More......

St. Columb's College, Derry City

A pair of back-to-back alleys, at St. Columb's College (now Lumen Christi College), Derry City. Image from Derry Journal facebook page Read More......

Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Alley in Rockfield Park, Blackrock, Co.Dublin. Photographed by S. Ryan in July 2023 (top two photographs),  E. Timoney in July 2022 and by by T.J. Ryan in July 2009 (Bottom three photographs). The alley was refloored when pathways in park were upgraded. The mural 'River Flora' is by artist Decoy, and is inspired by running water and nature in the park.For more information see newspaper article. Read More......

Belmullet, Co. Mayo

Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Top two photographs by E. Kennedy (renowned handball player), Aug 2023. Third photograph provided by R. Mangan, July 2013. Fourth photograph by Neil Mc Dermott 2008. This alley is located beside Páirc Beo and the children's playground, adjacent to An Lárionad Cathrach (the civic centre) and town car park. It is still in use. The mural 'Dúlra agus Dúchas' is by visual artist James Kirwan and depicts aspects of local heritage and biodiversity. See newspaper article. .
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Tooleague, Kilasser, Co. Mayo

Tooleague, Killasser, Swinford Co. Mayo
Photographed by G. Loughran, Feb 2014 and T. O'Malley (via E. Timoney) Aug 2023 (top). Read More......

Caraun, Co. Sligo

Photographed Aug 2023 by D. Burke Read More......

Saint Patrick's College [set of 2], Maynooth, Co. Kildare

There were 4 sets of handball alleys on the campus of St. Patrick’s College, with a total of 16 alleys.
The 1838 ordnance survey shows:
– 6 alleys in a back-to-back row 3 alleys long, to the west of the Hospital in the northern area of the campus
– 4 alleys in a back-to-back row 2 alleys long, to the west of the Junior College in the southern area of the campus.
The 1912 ordnance survey shows both of these sets of alleys and an additional two sets of alleys
- a pair of 2 alleys back to back on the green area directly in front (south) of the Junior College
- a set of 4 alleys back to back on an extension to the college grounds to the north
The pair in front of the Junior College is not shown on the 1940 ordnance survey.
This historical photograph (unknown date) likely shows the pair of back to back alleys on green area/lawn on front of the Junior College. Photograph included on facebook page Old Maynooth local history group. Permission to use photograph provide by C.Kavanagh via E. Timoney. August 2023. Read More......

Robert Emmet Walk / Bridgefoot Street Park, Dublin City

Robert Emmet Walk, Dublin 8 A set of alleys enclosed behind high stone wall, adjacent to former barracks and former distillery and on edge of new urban park https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/parks/new-parks-and-projects/bridgefoot-street-park https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/50080340/robert-emmet-walk-dublin-8-co-dublin Part of Four Courts Marschalsea Read More......