Louth archers compete at IFAF European Championships

Only one Louth archer went to compete this weekend, and that was one of the founder members, CúChulainn's Brendan Forde, who competed at the National Student Indoor Championships 2026 as a guest competitor.

The competition was hosted by University College Cork Archery Club at the Mardyke Arena in Cork, where Brendan came fifth in a very strong field of Guest Archers.

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The rest of the usual competitors from CúChulainn did not go to Cork this time, as they were preparing to compete at the 
International Field Archery Association European Indoor Archery Championships 2026.

This prestigious European Championships is being hosted by the Irish Field Archery Federation in the SETU Arena in Waterford from the 2nd March to the 6th March.

Spain, Bulgaria, Germany, UK, Estonia, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Romania, Hungary, Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are among the countries competing alongside Ireland in this first IFAA European Championships to be hosted in Ireland.

Approximately 15 members of CúChulainn Archers will be among those competing. The reason for not competing last week?

Well, this competition is completely different from the World Archery competitions that the club members normally shoot. It comprises a Standard Round and a Flint Round.

The Standard Round consists two rounds of six ends of five arrows shot at 20 yards, equalling 60 arrow and the Flint Round consists of 28 arrows, shot twice in ends of four arrows.

The distances vary in the Flint Round and the archers go from 30 yds to down to 20 foot four arrows per end, walking forward and back so the distance varies every four arrows, with the last end  - called a Walk up - consisting of four arrows, one arrow at each distance and this is done in seven ends - done twice - equalling 56 arrows.

There will also be Team Events as well as the Individual competitions. The week will start on Monday with registration, equipment check and qualification checks - all archers must have two classification scores to compete.

At this stage, archers will be given a specific time to train on the actual archery butt on which they will compete.  

After this, there will be a delegate meeting where the delegates from each country will be given information about the competition for their members.  

Then the parade of nations, where each nation's archers will march behind their national flag. This will be followed by Welcoming speeches.  

Days two - four will be days of competition, day two, Standard Round, day three, Flint Round, day four, Standard Round, day five, Shoot-offs, awards, and followed by a banquet.

Shoot-offs occur when the scores of two archers (or more!) tie. To decide the winner, a shoot-off is shot over three ends.

In the event that the scores are still tied, a 'sudden death' one-arrow shoot-off decides the outcome, as the archer whose arrow is closest to the centre wins! 

An exciting week for archery in Ireland is in store. Visitors are welcome to come along to enjoy the spectacle. 
Archery is a great sport, suitable for all ages, and there are many clubs in different parts of the country.

Our club, CúChulainn Archers, holds beginner courses throughout the year. Please email cuchulainnarchers@hotmail.com