The ancient game of darts has enjoyed several periods of boom and burst in the life and times of the public house trade in Castleisland.
It was huge in the mid to late 1960s and right up and into the ’70s until the appearance of the first pool tables on the scene here.
With the honourable exception of the Tralee Road based Market Bar and neighbouring Donal Cronin’s, Sheila Prendiville’s Bar and Grocery on Main Street and, farther up town, Fitzmaurice’s Bar and Grocery – the other two dozen or more pubs all had or hosted darts teams.
Chalking the Board
They also held weekly, Friday night and Sunday morning competitions for their customers and anyone who felt good enough to put their names down and chalk the board.
Now, here in the struggling summer of 2023, there’s what can only be described as a massive darts revival sweeping the town’s few remaining public houses.
Jonathan Downey is spearheading the game’s re-discovered popularity and he’s bringing a whole swathe of mainly young men with him.
There’s no shortage of competition as the new courtship between the game and the players of the locality happily visit the host pubs of the town on their Thursday night travels.
Cared and Catered For
The game of darts was never more fondly cared and catered for in Castleisland – at least.
Nowadays there’s ring lighting, logo bearing surrounds on the dart boards – no more old, recycled and halved car tyres. There’s a frame on the floor against which the big toe of the player is placed and thereby ruling out any question of oche line or rule infringements.
Jonathan Downey is the founder of this latest revival of the game in Castleisland and he’s been ‘throwing’ for years.
He confessed that he’s good at the game and that he’s aiming to promote the sense of inclusion brought about by getting involved in the dart playing community in town.
Dart Playing Tradition
“There was always a great dart playing tradition in Castleisland and I thought it’s something we should revive. We had our first night below at The Fountain Bar a few weeks ago with ten players,” said Jonathan.
“That number has moved up through the ranks since. We had 16 players the second night – it went to 22 to 26 and up to 30 and we’re hoping to reach 50 or more over the next few weeks,” he added.
“We have players of all ages and abilities throwing with us and we’d love to see more young lads getting involved.
Thursday Nights at 8pm
“If you like the game of darts come and join us on any of our Thursday nights at 8pm with darts away at 8:30pm at one of the local pubs. It doesn’t matter how good or otherwise you are – you’ll be getting better by playing and you’re guaranteed four games against different opposition each night.
“We’re in The Crown again tonight, Thursday 20th and we’ll go around the houses then to Tom McCarthy’s next week and so on to The Fountain Bar on to Browne’s Bar and back here to The Crown for our finals night.
“Ask in any of the pubs in Castleisland and they’ll tell you where we are on any given night and we have a Facebook page so people can keep up with what’s going on,” said Jonathan.
There’s a €10 registration fee to join and the eventual winner and finalist with get a cash prize and trophies.
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