By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
"Bowl the Rock!" is the phrase the Salina Irish Road Bowling (SIRB) organization uses for its game and they want familiarize it right here in Salina.
Salina Irish Road Bowling, has announced their 2nd go-around of the "Salina Irish Road Bowling Championship" that will be occurring on September 6th, 2025 at Indian Rock Park. Beginning at 9:15 am, this game originating from Ireland will be played as participants will roll a 28-ounce replica of a "cannonball" over a 3/4 mile course throughout the park.
Jerry Lonergan of SIRB, stated he wants this game to gain exposure in Salina.
"This game is fun to play and anybody can play this sport," said Lonergan. "Irish Bowling is a family-oriented game and we just want to expose this game to Salina."
Imported from rural Ireland, the game has roots going back to the 1600s when Irish rebels stole cannonballs from British armories and rather than carry the 28-ounce cannonballs, they opted to roll them down Irish backroads spawning contests to determine who could roll the cannonballs (which came to be called “bullets”) the furthest.
In the U.S., teams of four alternate rolling the 'bullet' around a designated course, with the winner determined by which team completed the course with the fewest number of rolls.
Last year, SIRB held the game for the first time in Salina at Indian Rock Park. Proceeds collected from registration and other fees, were donated towards the Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) Student Hygiene Pantry, where they received a total of $2,000. Teams paid $100 to enter the competition and all the funds, along with some added support from sponsors cumulated the total amount of $2,000.
The funds were meant for the distribution to students’ essential health and hygiene products (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.), along with education materials designed to support student wellbeing and keep the campus and community healthy.
KWU also played an important part by having the 45 members of the KWU women’s basketball team serve as volunteers throughout the event helping with course management, chasing stray bullets and serving as caddies for each team.
This year, SIRB is inviting the community to register and play in the Irish Road Bowling game this Saturday, September 6th. Registration is $100 per team, with a $15 lost ball deposit. There is an optional fee of $20 for t-shirts.
All registration fees and donations will go towards the KWU Student Hygiene Pantry.
Deadline to register is Monday, September 1st.
Lonergan hopes this becomes an annual event after this year's games.
For more information or to register, go to: https://www.salinairishrb.com/ and you can also follow SIRB on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559836916589