Irish Road Bowling Events and Schedules

In 2022 Irish Road Bowling is Rolling Again!

Because of Coronavirus precautions, please check the status of each road bowling event by reaching out to the local contact at every event. The schedule will be updated as we get closer to each event. For any questions, call David Powell at (202) 387-1680 or email him.

2022 West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association (WVIRBA) Tour Events

Celtic Calling Festival, Charleston, WV (New Community Event)
Road bowling comes to the Capital City with a course starting at the University of Charleston Football Stadium, Laidley Field, and running along Piedmont Road to Valley Gardens. 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 19,2022 2:30 p.m. March 20, 2022 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.
Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem, WV April 9, 2022, 1:30 p.m. April 10, 2022, 10:30 a.m. (Event not listed on Pipestem or WV State Parks website schedule - call Pipestem 304 466 1800 to be sure this event is happening.)
Magnificent views and one of the state's very best road bowling roads combine for an unforgettable weekend. Pipestem Resort State Park has incredible views of the Bluestone River Gorge and Appalachian spring colors in southern West Virginia. Pipestem is home to 2011 Women's State Champion Samantha Mann and 2014 North American Region Novice 1 Finalist Rich Meece. The event features Women's Singles Qualifier, Men's Singles Qualifier, Team Bowling, and Fun Bowling. It is open for novice I, II, III, and IV (beginner) level players. A second qualifier will take place at the Strawberry Festival near Buckhannon. The top men and women scorers from each qualifier, Pipestem and Strawberry qualifiers, will go straight to the West Virginia IRBA Men's and Women’s Singles State Championship. Contact Julie McQuade at (304) 466-1800 (ex.379) or email her for inquiries.
Coopers Rock State Forest, Morgantown, WV April 30, 2022, 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 7, 2022, 1:30 p.m. (Event not listed on the Kanawha State Forest or WV State Parks website schedule - call 304 558 3500 to be sure this event is happening.)
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 21, 2022, 4:00 p.m. May 22, 2022, 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 second Men's and Women's Qualifier, the first was to be held at the Pipestem Resort State Park in April. Top men and women scorers from each qualifier, Pipestem and Strawberry Festival, will advance to the West Virginia IRB Singles State Championship at Blackwater Falls State Park June 18. Novice I, II, III, and IV level players are welcome. Novice IV is for beginners.
Jerod Putnam Open, Morgantown, WV Coopers Rock State Forest June 3, 4, 5, 2022
The Jerod Putnam Open is named in memoriam of one of the original founders of Irish Road Bowling in West Virginia and in the USA in 1995. Jerod’s love and passion for the ancient game led many people to follow him into the country roads. From those beginnings in 1995, Irish road bowling has spread all across the Mountain State. In 2020, 22 events were held in all regions of the state. The JPO will benefit the Jerod Putnam Scholarship Fund which will award scholarships to Lewis County youth pursuing studies in agriculture/forestry and sports/physical education. The Jerod Putnam Open is for new players or beginners. Coopers Rock State Forest and nearby Lakeview Golf Resort provide a beautiful setting for this ancient sport. Cash prizes will be given to winners and everyone will have an equal chance. Draws will be made at the Friday evening reception at Lakeview. Everyone is invited to experience the thrill of Irish long bullets road bowling down Iron Furnace Road, in our ideal setting, Coopers Rock State Forest along Cheat Lake, in the West Virginia hills. For information and details on registering, contact Cris Putnam at (304) 692-6669.
Blackwater Falls State Park West Virginia Day Celebration, Davis, WV June 18, 2022 1:30 p.m. (Event not listed on the Blackwater Falls State Park or WV State Parks website schedule - call 304 259 5216 to be sure this event is happening.)
One of the closer events to Pittsburgh and Washington D.C., Blackwater Falls is West Virginia's best-known landmark in a state 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 19, 2022 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 25, 26, 2022 (Event not listed on the Blackwater Falls State Park or WV State Parks website schedule - call 304 259 5216 to be sure this event is happening.)
The top men and women bowlers from each of the two qualifiers at Pipestem Resort and Strawberry Festival will meet on Pendleton Loop, Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis, WV. Winners at the WV State Championship Finals will advance to the national finals, the "North American Region Finals." The winners will advance to the North American Region Finals in Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, Massachusetts. For information, call David Powell (202) 387-1680 / cell: (202) 905-1959.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass, WV This event was suspended during Covid shutdown, resumed bowling date and time to be determined.
Set in Pocahontas County, the source of seven rivers in the highest mountains in West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad operates a ride-on steam-powered logging train that climbs even higher above the town of Cass. The State Park is a great mid-summer destination in cool mountains. We have a new, improved Ed Ray Road at Cass and have added the nearby Greenbank Observatory at Greenbank as the Sunday bowling destination. Here is a two-day, two-event bowling weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and Greenbank Observatory at Greenbank. Contact Kailey Price at (304) 456-4300 (ext. 111) for more information.
Greenbank Observatory, Greenbank, WV This event was suspended during Covid shutdown, resumed bowling date and time to be determined.
The Greenbank Observatory has hosted Irish Road Bowling for its staff for many years. Now their bowling road will be open to the public. Bowl under giant radio telescopes, and as a special treat, bowl in the peace and quiet of high mountain air since no electronic devices of any kind are permitted on this bowling road. Good old disposable cameras are sold in the gift shop. A two-day, two-event weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad and Greenbank Observatory. For more details about the Greenbank Observatory, call Amanda White at (304) 456-2164.
Doddridge County Fair, West Union, WV August 21, 2022, 2:30 p.m. (The 2022 Doddridge County Fair events schedule has not been released as of 04/07/2022 - call 304 672 5286 to be sure this event is happening.)
Bowl at the Doddridge County Park, and enjoy family fun for young and old. Contact road master Eric Bee at (304) 299-2104 for details.
Barbour County Fair, Historic Philippi, WV September 3, 2022, 1:30 p.m. (The 2022 Barbour County Fair events schedule has not been released as of 04/07/2022 - call 304 823 1328 to be sure this event is happening.)
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 Debbie Schoonover at (304) 457-5183.
Pack Horse Ford Cannonball Run, Shepherdstown, WV September 11, 2022, 1:30 p.m.
Pack Horse Ford Cannonball Run is an annual competition 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 September 24, 2022, 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 This event was suspended during Covid shutdown, resumed bowling date and time to be determined.
Mountain State Forest Festival is one of West Virginia’s oldest and biggest events. It features beautiful views from the scenic Georgetown Road.
Preston County Buckwheat Festival, Kingwood, WV October 2, 2022, 1:00 p.m. (The 2022 Preston County Buckwheat Festival events schedule has not been released as of 04 07/2022 - call 304 698 9991 to be sure this event is happening.)
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 road master Mark Wilt at (304) 698-6817 for details.
Holly River State Park Fall Challenge, Hacker Valley, WV October 8 1:30 p.m. (Event not listed on the Holly River State Park or the WV State Parks event website schedule - call 304 493 6353 to be sure this event is happening.)
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 the medieval feast afterward. For info, contact Holly River State Park at (304) 493-6353 or send an email.
Chief Logan State Park, Logan, WV This event was suspended during Covid shutdown, resumed bowling date and time to be determined.
The WVIRBA adds Irish Road Bowling to the rich sports tradition of Logan, West Virginia's City of Champions. At the 4,000-acre Chief Logan State Park, with its outdoor amphitheater and wildlife center, you can loft a bowl beneath the statue of Logan, famous Chief of the Cuyoga-Mingos, or in the footsteps of Aracoma, legendary Princess of the Shawnees. For lodging at Chief Logan Lodge, contact (304) 855-6100. For info, call Chief Logan 304 855 6100. Contact Chief Logan State Park office at (304) 792-7125.
Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV (Event not listed on the Tygart Lake State Park or WV State Parks website schedule - call 304 265 6144 to be sure this event is happening.)
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.