SHEPHERDSTOWN - A West Virginian variation on the ancient game of Irish Road Bowling (IRB) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The variation -- four-person Irish Road Bowling - was developed by the founders of the West Virginia Irish Road Bowling (WVIRB) nonprofit organization. According to one of those founders, David Powell, IRB was largely unknown of and unpracticed by those outside of the Irish communities in the country - that was, until a television show broadcast introduced Powell and his friends to the sport.

"We saw it on television, and I went over to Ireland and brought back some of the bowling balls. My friends and I then jumped into the sport, starting with a competition at the Irish Spring Festival in 1995," Powell said. "It has expanded from there, all over the

See Full Page