Archery
Take aim in Ireland's great outdoors
Archery Ireland's register lists 37 affiliated clubs across the country, eleven of them in Dublin and nine of them university clubs. The sport splits in two: target archery is shot at known distances on a flat range, indoors in winter and outdoors in summer, and is the Olympic form; field archery is shot around a woodland course at varying, unmarked distances over uneven ground. Nearly every club runs beginner courses that supply the bow, and a six-week course run one evening a week is the standard way in. Clubs take beginners in intakes rather than continuously, so the useful question is when the next one starts. Adventure centres also run one-off taster sessions, which are enjoyable but won't get you shooting independently.
37 clubs across 15 counties
Listed by Archery Ireland, reproduced as published. Pick a county to see them.
Where to go
Season: Year-round · Suits: Beginner to Intermediate
Blackheath Archers, Clontarf
DublinDublin holds eleven of the register's affiliated clubs, more than the rest of Leinster combined, so it runs the most beginner intakes in the country.
Wicklow Archers, Enniskerry
WicklowRegistered at a Dargle valley ground rather than a hired sports hall, which is what lets a club shoot longer outdoor distances through the summer.
Drewstown Archery, Fordstown
MeathBased at Drewstown House. One of two Meath clubs, alongside Athboy, in a county with room for full outdoor rounds.
Wolfshead Archery Academy, Granard
LongfordThe midlands club, and the only affiliated club in Longford. Worth knowing about if you're anywhere between Cavan, Westmeath and Roscommon.
Archers of Ennis, Ennis Showgrounds
ClareShoots at the showgrounds in Ennis. The nearest affiliated club to the mid-west coast, with Limerick's two clubs the next option south.
Archery by county
The 12 counties with named spots, accredited centres or registered trails behind them.
About archery in Ireland
Whether you're drawn to target archery or field archery through woodland courses, Ireland has a thriving archery community. Adventure centres and clubs across the country offer sessions for beginners and serious archers.
Common questions
What is the difference between target and field archery?
Target archery is shot at known distances at circular faces on level ground, and is the Olympic discipline. Field archery is shot around a woodland course at varying, often unmarked distances, with uphill and downhill shots. Both are governed by Archery Ireland.
Do I need my own bow to start?
No. Beginner courses at affiliated clubs include the use of a club bow, arrows and safety equipment. Most archers shoot club kit for several months before buying, which is sensible, because bows are fitted to your draw length and strength.
How do I find an archery club near me in Ireland?
Archery Ireland's club finder is the register, and it lists 37 affiliated clubs. Dublin has eleven, Galway three, and Cork, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Carlow, Kildare and Wexford two each. Clubs run beginner courses in intakes rather than continuously, so ask when the next one starts.
Where can I do archery in Dublin?
Dublin has eleven affiliated clubs, the most of any county: Blackheath Archers in Clontarf, Dublin Archers in Baldoyle, Dundrum Archers in Stillorgan, Greenhills in Tallaght, Millennium Archers in Coolmine and Leixlip Archers at Esker Park, plus the university clubs at UCD, Trinity, DCU, RCSI and TU Dublin. Most shoot indoors in sports halls over the winter.
What age can children start archery?
Many clubs take juniors from around eight to ten years old, depending on the child's size and strength and on the club's own coaching setup. Ask the club directly. The limit is practical, not a national rule.
Find a centre
No governing body publishes a provider list for archery, so we have no accredited centres to name. The full directory holds 76 adventure centres, many of them multi-sport.