History of Tug of War

The origins of tug of war are not clearly known, though they must be very old. It may have originally been a ritual or religious contest:

There is no specific time and place in history to define the origin of the game of Tug of War. The contest of pulling on the rope originates from ancient ceremonies and rituals. Evidence is found in countries like Egypt, India, Myanmar, New Guinea... The origin of the game in India has strong archaeological roots going back at least to the 12th Century AD in the area what is today the State of Orissa on the east coast. The famous Sun Temple of Konark has a stone relief on the west wing of the structure clearly showing the game of Tug of War in progress.

The origins of Tug of War are uncertain, but it is beyond dispute that this once royal sport was practiced in ancient Egypt and China, where it was held in legend that the Sun and Moon played Tug of War over the light and darkness.

Tug of War stories about heroic champions from Scandinavia and Germany circulate Western Europe where Viking warriors pull animal skins over open pits of fire in tests of strength and endurance in preparation for battle and plunder.

1500 and 1600 – Tug of War is popularized during tournaments in French chateaux gardens and later in Great Britain...

1800 – Tug of War begins a new tradition among seafaring men who were required to tug on lines to adjust sails while ships were underway and even in battle.

The Oxford English Dictionary says that the phrase 'tug of war' originally meant the decisive contest; the real struggle or tussle; a severe contest for supremacy. Only in the 19th century was it used as a term for an athletic contest between two teams who haul at the opposite ends of a rope.

Northern Ireland Tug of War History

Part I

The Sport of Tug of War has been prominent in Ireland for at least 200 years.  In the old days, the sport was part of the basic training of the Constabulary of Ireland with each district having a team with there being approximately 128 districts throughout Ireland.

Up to the beginning of the last century teams comprised of ten men and generally competitions took place at only two weight classes viz 104 stone and catch weight.  It was usual for teams to take up position, one on each side of the rope alternatively.  At the time it was considered that this gave a better balance to the team.

Very often, judges were local dignitaries who were interested only in winning the pull, not how it was won.  The rules were very basic and certainly had no comparison with present day regulation.  It was not unknown for teams, during a long pull, to twist on the rope, slipping it across the shoulders and therefore making a very effective lock.

Instead of the present four meter pull, it was traditional in some areas for the pull to continue until every member of the opposing team had been pulled across the line.  It was little wonder, in such circumstances, that contests’ sometimes lasted up to a hour or more.

In 1895 the Belfast team were declared World Champions, having competed at home and abroad against all comers without once losing a pull.  They continued to compete for a further four years without defeat or losing a pull.

During the Great War the sport was kept alive by the army and the Royal Irish Constabulary alongside the famous Guinness team from the works well known beverage makers.

With the partition of Ireland in 1920, the sport continued to be very popular in Northern Ireland, especially in the 1930s’.  In that era the most successful teams were from the Royal Ulster Constabulary, continuing the results from the RIC, winning both the lightweight and heavyweight championships at the British Amateur Athletic Championships from 1931 to 1939.

Other prominent teams in the period immediately following the Second World War were Five Corners, Ballyclare, Derryfubble, Co.Tyrone, Kilmore and the Diamond, Co Armagh.  Diamond in particular, established a formidable reputation as a very strong “heaving team”.  In 1947 and 1948 they claimed the title of All Ireland Champions

From the late 1950s onwards a great rivalry developed between the Mountpottinger team and Aghadowey.  The Aghadowey team came from farming stock and was built around the Barr Brothers who were World famous Ploughmen.  Hugh Barr was World Champion three years in succession.  At one time there were five brothers in the team along with a brother in law.  Matches between Mountpottinger and Aghadowey are part of the folklore of Tug of War in Northern Ireland.

After the formation of the English Tug of War Association in 1958 it was logical that Northern Ireland should form its own Association and this duly took place in 1964.  The following year saw the first ever European Championship in Crystal Palace, London.  Northern Ireland finished in Runners up position behind England.

The Aghadowey team who represented the province on that occasion was one of the best club sides around at that time and it was very appropriate that they should eventually take the European Title at 640kgs at the same venue of Crystal Palace in 1970.

The following year a new team from Garvagh went to the European Championships, bringing home a creditable Silver Medal.

In recent years, after somewhat of a decline, Northern Irelands International standing has risen dramatically largely due to the Richhill Club.  This club is one of the best lightweight teams in the World having taken Solver and Bronze medals at World Outdoor level and winning two world indoor championships back to back at 560kgs indoor.

In addition to major Championships, representative teams from the Province undertook major tours of the United States, Australia, China and other nations.  They were the first teams to visit USA and Australia since the International Federation was formed and apart from being undefeated on both tours, their trail-blazing was very beneficial to the development of the sport in these far off countries.

 

Northern Ireland Tug of War History

PART II

Teams Past and Present

AGHADOWEY

AGIVEY

ANNAHUGH

ARDRESS

BENNEDY

BALLYCRUMMY

BANBRIDGE

BALLYCRUMMY LADIES

BALLINASCREEN

BOVEEDY

BRONE FARMERS

BALLYDONAGHEY

BALLYCLOGUE

BALLYHEGAN

BALLYTYRONE

BAWNHILL

BANCRAN

BENNEDY

BLEARY

BROAGH

BRACKAGH

BURNSIDE

BURNSIDE LADIES

COSEY INN

CRUMLIN

COOKSTOWN

CASTLEWELLAN

CAMLOUGH

CLADY

CLOGHER

COUNTRY CLUB

CASHEL

DIAMOND

DRUMSURN

DERRYNOOSE

DERRYOGUE

DERRYMORE

DERRYFUBBLE

DRUMCOO

DRUMCOO LADIES

DORSEY

DRUMQUIN

DRAPERSTOWN

DRUMNAQUOILE

FORGE

FISHERS OF NEWRY

GARVAGH

GORTFAD

GLACK

HILLTOWN

HOLLYBUSH

KENNEDYS BAKERY

KEADY

GLENSHILVAN FARM SERVICES

ESKERAGH

MOURNE ESPLANADE

ROSSLEA

MAGHERAFELT

FAIRYWATER

ROCKHILL

CULLION

KILLYWILL

KILMORE

LISNAGELVIN

LISNAVEAGH

MACON

MOTHERTOWN

MOUNTPOTTINGER

MAYDOWN LADIES

NORTH FARMERS

NEWTOWNSTEWART

RICHHILL LADIES

 RICHHILL

ROSTREVOR

RATHFRILAND

SILENT VALLEY

SCREEN VALLEY

SILVERBRIDGE

BALLYCLOG

STEWARTSTOWN

WHITEHILL LADIES

SLAUGHTNEIL

THE PATS

THREE MILE HOUSE

TULLYSARRIN

WEST BANN

THE VALLEY

KILLOWEN

KILFARMERS

GLENS OF ANTRIM

 

ANYONE WITH FURTHER INFORMATION OR PICTURES OF TEAMS FROM THE PAST PLEASE FORWARD DETAILS TO NITOWA SECRETARY.

 

PART 3 TO FOLLOW