The history of Irish sport can be held in your hands - if you know where to look.  Discover the stories behind some of Ireland's most fascinating sporting artefacts at a special talk on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 7pm.

Titled 'Irish Sport in 100 Objects', this engaging talk takes place at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, and is based on a new book of the same name by Dr Siobhán Doyle.

Driven by curiosity, Siobhán Doyle has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland in search of the objects that carry extraordinary sporting stories. Ronnie Delany’s running shoes. A scissors used to cut the ribbon on the Cusack Stand. Rachael Blackmore’s saddle. Sam Maguire’s pocketwatch.

These objects, ordinary at first glance, form a mosaic of memory that stretches from quiet parish playing fields to the grandest international stages.

In this illustrated talk, Siobhán takes us on a whistle stop tour of her first book A History of the GAA in 100 Objects and introduces her new book Irish Sport in 100 Objects. Books will be available in the Museum giftshop and Siobhán will be available for signing after the talk. 

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About the author

Dr Siobhán Doyle is a cultural historian and curator who works in the National Museum of Ireland. A regular contributor to RTÉ Television, she has appeared on The Late Late Show, The Tommy Tiernan Show, Ireland’s Hidden Treasures, Museum of Me and Today. She also works with RTÉ’s Brainstorm platform and regularly features on national and local radio. Her 2022 book A History of the GAA in 100 Objects was shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards.