Willie O’Donovan, the Irish open egg throwing champion, who will attempt to break his own Irish record at the Shrule & District Vintage Club’s annual vintage show in Glencorrib on July 12. Wille was pictured recently at an unknown secret location for a last minute training session. Photo: Trish Forde

Irish egg throwing record attempt at Mayo show

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THE World Egg Throwing Federation has announced that the 2026 Irish National Open Egg Throwing Championships will take place on Sunday, July 12, in Glencorrib, at the annual Shrule District Vintage Day.

The event will see an attempt at breaking the Irish record for egg throwing.

Willie O’Donovan, the famed road bowler, is once again set to appear and seek to break his current Irish record of 78.3 metres for throwing a fresh egg three years ago. The current world record of 94.3 metres is held by the New Zealand duo of Paewai and Hornstein and was set in 2018.

Andy Dunlop, president of the World Egg Throwing Federation, said Willie is more than capable of breaching that distance. With his new receiver, to catch the hoisted egg, great things are expected from a phenomenal pairing.

The sport of egg throwing and catching originated in the 12th century village of Swaton, England, when a flooded river prevented starving peasants attending their local church for alms. Monks would hurl eggs over the swollen river to feed the destitute poor.

The federation has hosted national games as far afield as New Zealand, India, the Philippines and much of Europe and are looking forward to having a representative in Glencorrib on the day.

If you would like to take part in this event, and challenge Willie, entries will be taken on the day. Further details of the event can be obtained from Paddy Rock on (087) 2439760 or Pa Martyn on (086) 8500617.

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