Irish Road Bowling Events and Schedules

In 2024 Irish Road Bowling is Rolling Again!

After more than two years of Coronavirus precautions, please check the status of each road bowling event by reaching out to the local contact at every event. Thankfully, the schedule will return to close to full capacity in 2024. For any questions, call David Powell at 202 905 1959 cell in WV, or email him.

2024 West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association (WVIRBA) Tour Events

Celtic Calling Festival, March 3, Sunday 2:00 p.m. Kanawha State Forest, Charleston, WV
Road bowling comes to the Capital City with a course starting at Kanawha State Forest. This event will require teams of 3 or 4 bowlers. For more information, contact Chris Higgins at (304) 881-7037.
Irish Spring Festival, Ireland, WV March 16, 2024 2:30 p.m. March 17, 2024 1:30 p.m.
The Irish Spring Festival is West Virginia’s Irish road bowling homeplace, origin, and heart. This is the site of the 2009 national finals. At 2.2 miles, Wildcat Road to Duffy Bridge is our longest course. All events here are family-friendly, including the Saturday parade, harp concert, and duck race. Contact road master Denton King at (304) 452-8962 for more details.
Coopers Rock State Forest, Morgantown, WV May 4, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Located near Cheat Lake and Lakeview Golf Resort, this 12,713-acre forest with cliffs and 11 rustic picnic shelters is ideal for Irish Road Bowling. It also has an overlook into Cheat River Gorge. Contact Coopers Rock at (304) 594-9024 or send an email.
Kanawha State Forest, Charleston, WV May 11, 2024, 1:30 p.m. call 304 558 3500
Located just seven miles south of Charleston, WV, Kanawha State Forest is near the heavily populated recreational haven Kanawha Valley. The 9,300-acre forest is popular among naturalists for its diverse wildflower and bird populations. The rich cove forest sites provide a nesting habitat for 19 species of wood warblers that draws birders from as far away as Canada. In addition, the forest offers some of West Virginia’s best special hikes in winter, spring, and fall. Contact Kanawha State Forest at (304) 558-3500 or send an email.
Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon, WV May 18, 2024, 4:00 p.m. May 19, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Turkey Run Road, two miles north of Buckhannon, is the site of the 2006 and the 2015 Irish Road Bowling North American Region Championship Finals, Bol~Chumann na hEireann. The winners of those two events advanced to the All Irelands, in Ireland (the country). Strawberry Festival's road bowling event features include Men's and Women's Singles Qualifier and Team Bowling. This is the third Men's and Women's Qualifier, the first was to be held at Coopers Rock State Forest May 4, and the second at Kanawha State Forest May 11. Top men and women scorers from each qualifier, Coopers Rock, Kanawha State Forest and Strawberry Festival, will advance to the West Virginia IRB Singles State Championship at in Ireland, WV, June 29, 30. Novice I, II, III, and IV level players are welcome. Novice IV is for beginners.
Jerod Putnam Open Fun Bowl, Ireland, WV Saturday June 8, 2024 Jerod Putnam was one of the original founders of Irish road bowling in West Virginia. His love for the ancient sport encouraged many families to come out in the road to try it. This benefit event supports the Jerod Putnam Scholarship Fund which send high school students to college to study in the fields of forestry, agriculture, or physical education. This family oriented fun bowl will be in his memoy.
Blackwater Falls State Park West Virginia Day Celebration, Davis, WV June 15, 2024 1:30 p.m. call Blackwater 304 259 5216
One of the closer events to Pittsburgh and Washington D.C., Blackwater Falls is West Virginia's best-known landmark in a state reknowned for its scenery. The Washington Post described it as “so perfectly set in its narrow canyon and so beautiful as to be almost surreal.” Rhododendron blossoms and a circle road. Contact Blackwater Falls State Park at (304) 259-5216 for details.
Canaan Valley State Park, Davis, WV June 16, 2024 1:30 p.m.
In the highest-elevation valley east of the Mississippi, this open road with sweeping curves is an ideal contrast to the boulders and rhododendron thickets at nearby Blackwater Falls. You can enjoy a two-day, two-event road bowling weekend at Blackwater and Canaan. Contact David Vance at 1 (800) 622-4121 (ext. 2788) for more information.
West Virginia State Championship Singles Finals, Ireland, WV June 29, 30, 2024
The top men and women bowlers from each of the three qualifiers at Coopers Rock State Forest, May 4, Kanawha State Forest, May 11, and the Strawberry Festival, May 19, will meet on Wildcat Road in Ireland, WV. Come out to see the best players in West Virginia in one on one competition. No team bowling at this state championship event. Winners at the WV State Championship Finals will advance to the national finals, the "North America Region Finals," in East Durham, New York. For information, call David Powell cell: (202) 905-1959.
This well shaded downhill roll offers lots of "strategery" to get through all the curves, before it opens into a long straightaway headed to the finish. It is a cool shaded roll suited to hot weather . Afterwards take a swim in the lake or have lunch in the lodge. Nearby Berkeley Springs is where George Washington "took the waters" in the heated springs. Call the Nature Center 304 258 1022
Barbour County Fair, Historic Philippi, WV Saturday August 24, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
The location of the first land battle of the Civil War and the largest covered bridge in West Virginia, Point Pleasant Road starts high on the ridge-top, great views, and a long downhill curve to the fairgrounds. For info, call Barbour Co. Fair, at (304) 457-5183.
Pack Horse Ford Cannonball Run, Shepherdstown, WV September 8, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Pack Horse Ford Cannonball Run is an Battle of Shepherdstown commemoration for a weekend that is rich in history and has plenty of entertainment all situated amidst the enchanting natural surroundings of Shepherdstown, WV. Join us as we throw cannonballs on the historic Trough Road, where in 1862, Confederate and Union troops fought as the Confederate army retreated from Antietam. For info, call Gerry Minett at (304) 579-2300 / (304) 839-9997.
Wheeling Hibernians Ohio Valley Championship, Wheeling, WV Saturday September 28, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Benefiting local charities, the Wheeling Hibernians IRB Tournament is the northern-most event on the WVIRBA Tour circuit. This tournament is centrally located in the Ohio River Valley and is an easy drive from Pittsburgh or Columbus. A ridgetop course, on Boggs Hill Road. In September 2019, 1051 bowlers made this WVIRBA event the largest Irish road bowling tournament in the world. Entry fee includes a barbeque and afterward, live music. Contact Craig O'Leary at (304) 242-6196 or email him to learn more.
Mountain State Forest Festival, Elkins, WV Saturday September 28, 2024
The Mountain State Forest Festival is one of West Virginia’s oldest and biggest events. It features beautiful views from the scenic Georgetown Road. 304 636 1824.
Preston County Buckwheat Festival, Kingwood, WV Sunday September 29, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
The WVIRB Association “Northern Wing” sponsors a terrific tournament with the best prize anywhere, a Buckwheat Pancake Breakfast for the winners. Loft a corner on Pleasantdale and Greens Run Road, one of the best WVIRBA road courses in WV. Contact (304) 329 0101 for details.
Holly River State Park Fall Challenge, Hacker Valley, WV Saturday October 12 1:30 p.m.
Held in a deep valley, one of the tour’s most beautiful roads, the Holly River State Park Full Challenge features October colors, a trout stream, rhododendron thickets, a bridge to loft over, and a massive stone pavilion. For info, contact Holly River State Park at (304) 493-6353 or send an email.
Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV Saturday November 9, 2024
At Tygart Lake State Park, we discovered a beautiful road course through the woods along the 10-mile long, 1750-acre Tygart Lake. Close to the start line in Tygart Lodge, you can dine overlooking the lake. For info, call Tygart Lake (304) 265-6144, Jacob Jackson 204 518 1374.