The History of Physical Culture in Ireland

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.

Explores exercise in Ireland across educational, martial and recreational settings Examines the rise of physical culture in Ireland in the late nineteenth century and traces its development across the following four decades Contrasts the influence of foreign fitness entrepreneurs in Ireland such as Eugen Sandow, Thomas Inch, Eustace Miles and Mary Bagot Stack with their Irish counterparts

Auteur

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

Résumé

"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)

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 2. Combating the 'Evils of Civilisation': Recreational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 3. 'With this atmosphere of unrest and sinister rumours': Military Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 4. 'The production and maintenance of health in body and mind': Educational Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland.- 5. 'Physical culture is good for body and soul.': Recreational Physical Culture in Interwar Ireland.- 6. 'Embracing the Whole Gambit of Physical Exercise.': Interwar Military Physical Culture.- 7. In Ireland the subject of physical training had perhaps, been neglected: Interwar Physical Culture in Schools.- 8. Conclusion: 'Physical Culture is Nation's Need.'.