Irish hurley-makers get a slap in the face

THE news (February 28) that 30% of hurleys are now produced in Poland must have come as something of a shock to fans of the game.

But for Irish hurley-makers, it was the ultimate slap in the face.

It is now clear why the Government had no interest in bringing this indigenous industry to a level it rightfully deserves as the backbone of a multimillion euro sports industry — namely the game of hurling.

The Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers (IGAHM) has fought for many years to try to save this much-loved and admired Irish craft.

However, meetings with various ministers at different times all proved in vain.

Instead the already high price of hurley ash kept increasing, cheap imports started flooding the market and, as a result, Irish hurley-makers are losing their livelihoods and an indigenous traditional craft is being lost to future generations.

One hurley-maker in particular has gone to extraordinary lengths to try to save his business and his inherited craft. An exceptionally gifted craftsman with great vision, he outlined the huge potential of hurley-making in proposals submitted to the Government and to several semi-state organisations.

Inexplicably, his proposals were never even considered by the powers-that-be.

Now we know why.

Incredibly, at the same time when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was presented with a Polish-made hurley, his department rejected the offer of beautifully crafted, special edition, Irish-made hurleys for presentation purposes here at home, stating: “We are not in a position to make use of these items as gifts for presentation by the Taoiseach”.

Hurling and hurley-making belong to Ireland just as much as Irish music and Irish dancing.

To take hurley-making out of this country is testimony of the Government’s utter disregard for the Irish heritage it is supposed to protect.

Brigitte Schorn

Meeleen

Knockraha

Co Cork