History of Physical Culture in Ireland

Conor Heffernan is Assistant Professor of Physical Culture and Sport Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.

“The History of Physical Culture in Ireland is not only a learned and readable book about a part of sport and exercixe that has ended up in the backwaters of the more spectacular and mediatized competitive sports, it is also an example of a well-conducted research effort. … All in all, a book well worth spending time with.” (Hans Bolling, idrottsforum.org, May 4, 2021)

• ​1. Introduction.- 2. Combating the ‘Evils of Civilisation’: Recreational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 3. ‘With this atmosphere of unrest and sinister rumours…’: Military Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 4. ‘The production and maintenance of health in body and mind’: Educational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 5. ‘Physical culture is good for body and soul.’: Recreational Physical Culture in Interwar Ireland.- 6. ‘Embracing the Whole Gambit of Physical Exercise.’:  Interwar Military Physical Culture.- 7. “In Ireland the subject of physical training had perhaps, been neglected”: Interwar Physical Culture in Schools.- 8. Conclusion: ‘Physical Culture is Nation’s Need.’.