Salina Post
After the Salina Irish Road Bowling (SIRB) event that occurred on September 6, 2025, planning members and volunteers for the 2nd annual "Salina Irish Road Bowling Championship," delivered to Kansas Wesleyan University President, Matt Thompson $2,500 and KWU Athletic Director, Miguel Paredes $500.
The larger amount will support KWU’s student hygiene pantry scheduled to formally open in January, 2026.
The $500 will go to support the KWU Athletic Department.
Recognizing past and ongoing support from the Salina Police Department (SPD), $100 had previously been donated to the SPD’s Foundation.
Funds were raised during the second Irish Road Bowling event held in Salina on September. A total of 20 teams competed in the unique and fun event traversing over, under, and around Indian Rock Park.
Historicity of Irish Road Bowling
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 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 United States, teams of four alternate rolling the bullet around a designated course with the winner determined by the team who completes the course with the fewest number of rolls.
Volunteers and assistance
With a cadre of community volunteers planning, preparing, and participating, the event was greatly assisted by 30 KWU women’s basketball team members. They serve as volunteers helping with course management, chasing stray bullets, and serving as Caddies for each team.
First year head coach, Harper Taylor was a prominent and active volunteer during the event.
The planning members also noted the tremendous support and help received from the Salina Park and Recreation Department in preparing and planning the event.
Local stage actor, Mary King, sang both the United States and Ireland national anthems. She performed Ireland’s Soldier Song in Gaelic. After greeting and thanking those in attendance, Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the Greater Salina Chamber of Commerce got the games underway throwing the ceremonial first roll.
Thunder, a Special Olympians team who were the first team to roll off the start line this year.
Co-ed teams and players from a wide range of ages and abilities demonstrated it is as much a contest of strategy rather than strength.
Winning the competition while breaking the course record was the Good Old Guys, with 17 rolls finishing just ahead of last year’s championship team, the Blue Bloods, comprised of officers from SPD.
The Slinging Saints won the novice division with a solid 21 rolls. Braxton Blake with the Blake Family Bowlers completed the longest roll.
The SIRB Planning Group invites people to visit the website and to “like” Salina Irish Road Bowling on Facebook.
These two sites will provide information and updates leading to the next SIRB set for Saturday September 12, 2026, and the next time Salina will roll.