When did rugby start in Ireland?

Answer 1

The game has been around as long as we know. It is mentioned in legends of Ireland. In 1884, 125 years ago this year, the Gaelic Athletic Association, more commonly known in Ireland as the G A A, was founded. Since then it has overseen both Hurling and its sister sport, Gaelic Football, as well as a number of other lesser sports and activities.

To this day, the GAA and all its sports continue to be completely amateur. On the day of an All-Ireland Hurling or Football Final, the competing teams will play in front of a crowd of around 82,000 people in Croke Park, as well as millions watching or listening through the broadcast media, and not one player will get a single cent for his efforts. They play for the love of the game, not money, and it is a bigger incentive than any pay day could ever be. While they might take Monday off, within a few days, these same players will be back at their regular day jobs, which is where they earn a living. That is the way the like it, and want it to continue.

Answer 2

It would have started in the middle of the 19th century. The Irish Rugby Football Union, the governing body of the game, was founded in 1874.