Around the world, for much of time, volleyball has been overshadowed by sports like soccer, American football, ice hockey, and baseball. But according to many news outlets, it’s becoming more popular than ever before. This spike (pun intended) is likely to do with the increasing high-level play, the dynamism of televised matches, and the growing number of countries participating in the sport.
While volleyball has historically been associated with the United States, Brazil, and Italy, to name a few countries, it has also grown in importance in Ireland.
History of Irish Volleyball
Volleyball’s history in Ireland has been short and mostly unremarkable. Although it was introduced in schools and colleges in the mid-20th century, not many embraced the sport.
As the sport originated in the United States, it naturally embedded itself into American culture. During World War I, American soldiers brought the game overseas to countries like the Philippines and Germany, and it spread to other regions from there. Therefore, an international body needed to formalise governance as it continued to expand.
In Ireland, volleyball remained in the background because of the already deep-rooted presence of other sports. Thus, there wasn’t the infrastructure needed to propel it to a dominant professional sport. No dedicated facilities or specialised coaching programs were developed simply because there wasn’t a demand for them.
Already, volleyball was facing challenges. And this trajectory continued until 1985 when Volleyball Ireland was established. As it was the first formal governing body for the sport, it was somewhat of a late bloomer. Its recognition and evolution is similar to how the online sports betting and casino platforms featured on Casinos.com took time to develop over the past few decades.
Is Irish Volleyball Popular Today?
While Irish sports fans still tend to gravitate towards Gaelic football or rugby, volleyball’s participation and engagement are prospering. In 2024, three times as many people were taking part in the sport and five times as many children were playing volleyball compared to 2019. The country also hosted the 2024 u20 Women’s European Volleyball Championship Finals, becoming the first European Volleyball Small Countries Zone member to host a European Championships Finals, so it’s safe to say that the sport has come a long way from its early days.
Volleyball still isn’t a household sport like football, but the combination of grassroots development and professional organisation is inching the sport closer and closer to that status. Volleyball Ireland has continued to play a big part in its growth, creating initiatives to help improve accessibility, develop young talent, and get coaches up to standard.
How Is It Structured?
Volleyball Ireland oversees the top tier of competitive volleyball in the country, including the top clubs and national leagues. The governing body is affiliated with the European Volleyball Confederation and the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, two major organisations that govern volleyball across Europe and globally, respectively. This relationship connects Irish Volleyball with other elite organisations.
The National Leagues take place every year between October and April, with both a Men’s and a Women’s division. Both sides are divided into four tiers—the Premier League, Division 1, Division 2, and the lowest tier, Division 3. Some of the top teams in the Men’s Premier Division include the Dalkey Devils and the Trinity College Dublin PM, while the Women’s Premier Division boasts the Santry Calypso and the Guardians PW.
Although none of Ireland’s finest players has the same level of fame as Karch Kiraly, for example, many are making a name for themselves within the country and among fans of the sport. Laura Connolly, captain of the Irish national team, stands out for her blocking abilities, while Gareth Gilmartin is recognised for his scoring.
When a team wins Volleyball Ireland’s National League in the Premier Division, they’re crowned National Champions of Ireland, which is the most prestigious title in Irish volleyball. A variety of Youth Leagues also exist as a stepping stone to the adult leagues, allowing them to get a taste of what’s to come.
While classic 6v6 indoor volleyball is the most commonly organised format in Ireland, beach volleyball is garnering more interest. Despite Ireland being known more for its cliffs than its beaches, the country’s coastline has a variety of beautiful sandy beaches prime for a game of volleyball.
Getting Involved in Irish Volleyball
The Irish volleyball scene actively encourages people to get involved in the sport. When more people are enthusiastic about it and see its merits, the more likely it is to grow and garner the funding it deserves. Beginners and aspiring professionals alike will find a variety of ways to take part, whether it’s joining a local club, becoming part of a school team, participating in an event, taking lessons, or even gaining recognition.
What’s Next for the Sport?
It seems that volleyball is on an upward trend worldwide, especially in Ireland. With increasing exposure and competition development, we’re bound to see more investment in the sport, which will boost the standard of play. With better coaching programs, fan engagement, and program expansion, we could see the grassroots-to-international growth that we’ve seen with other sports.
But because volleyball is further behind and lacks the recognition that big-name sports do, it could be a challenging road ahead. Hurdles such as a lack of infrastructure, media coverage, and sponsorship deals will be difficult to navigate. Still, decades of effort could eventually put volleyball near the top of Irish sports.