The History of Physical Culture in Ireland

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 1-16

3. Combating the ‘Evils of Civilisation’: Recreational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 17-52

4. ‘With This Atmosphere of Unrest and Sinister Rumours…’: Military Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 53-89

5. ‘The Production and Maintenance of Health in Body and Mind’: Educational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 91-126

6. ‘Physical Culture Is Good for Body and Soul’: Recreational Physical Culture in Interwar Ireland

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 127-168

7. ‘Embracing the Whole Gambit of Physical Exercise’: Interwar Military Physical Culture

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 169-203

8. ‘In Ireland the Subject of Physical Training Had Perhaps, Been Neglected’: Interwar Physical Culture in Schools

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 205-240

9. Conclusion: ‘Physical Culture Is Nation’s Need’

   • Conor Heffernan

   Pages 241-249

10. Back Matter

    Pages 251-280

    PDF

This book is the first to deal with physical culture in an Irish context, covering educational, martial and recreational histories. Deemed by many to be a precursor to the modern interest in health and gym cultures, physical culture was a late nineteenth and early twentieth century interest in personal health which spanned national and transnational histories. It encompassed gymnasiums, homes, classrooms, depots and military barracks. Prior to this work, physical culture’s emergence in Ireland has not received thorough academic attention. Addressing issues of gender, childhood, nationalism, and commerce, this book is unique within an Irish context in studying an Irish manifestation of a global phenomenon. Tracing four decades of Irish history, the work also examines the influence of foreign fitness entrepreneurs in Ireland and contrasts them with their Irish counterparts.

• physical exercise
• Irish nationalism
• masculinity
• Irish Free State
• Northern Ireland

“The History of Physical Culture in Ireland is not only a learned and readable book about a part of sport and exercixe that has ended up in the backwaters of the more spectacular and mediatized competitive sports, it is also an example of a well-conducted research effort. … All in all, a book well worth spending time with.” (Hans Bolling, idrottsforum.org, May 4, 2021)

• The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA

  Conor Heffernan

Conor Heffernan is Assistant Professor of Physical Culture and Sport Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.