A sporting club is bringing a touch of France to a Tipperary community

Pétanque, a traditional French game of boules, has been making waves in Munster, and  Cahir Pétanque Club is at the heart of this growing trend. 

The club enjoyed a busy and successful season this year, taking part in several competitions, including one of our favourites – the Inter-Club Competition. This year’s event was hosted by Tipperary Town, home to one of the many new clubs formed in the past two years.

READ MORE: A new Sport For All programme is launched by Cahir CAA club

The sport is thriving across the province, with two clubs in Cork, three in Waterford, one in Clare, one in Limerick, and two in Tipperary. The future looks bright for Pétanque in Ireland!

Cahir Pétanque Club plays on a specially prepared piste in the Inch Field – a flat surface of fine gravel or hard-packed earth. We are fortunate to have one of the most scenic locations in the country, with views of Cahir Castle and the River Suir. Visiting clubs often remark on the beauty of the setting. Thanks to a special project grant and the continued support of the community, new lighting has been installed at the piste.

This improvement, along with the Green Flag initiative in the Inch Field, makes the area a fantastic recreational and social space for the town. We extend our sincere thanks to Tipperary County Council, Councillor Andy Moloney, and the Tidy Towns team for their tireless efforts. The lighting will allow us to keep playing through the winter evenings.

This month, in partnership with Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, we introduced Pétanque to Transition Year students under the guidance of teachers Mr. Berry and Ms. Wade. Over several weeks, 36 students competed in teams of three, and their enthusiasm and competitive spirit surprised even our seasoned players! The laughter, banter, and sportsmanship were a joy to witness, and we hope to see these young players back on the piste soon.

READ NEXT: An interesting new programme to begin for junior STAG members

Cahir Pétanque Club meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm and Sunday mornings from 11am. New players are always welcome – come along and give it a try! Call 086 821 5690 if you want to take part.