New Traditional Archery Club Opens at The Derries Woodlands near Ballybrittas
TIFAM Archers invites beginners, experienced archers, volunteers, and clubs across Laois, Kildare, Offaly, and the wider Midlands to join a new traditional field archery community
A new traditional field archery club has been established at The Derries Woodlands near Ballybrittas, offering people across Laois, Kildare, Offaly, and the wider Midlands an opportunity to discover one of the world’s oldest sporting traditions in a welcoming woodland setting.
TIFAM Archers, formed by The Irish Foundation for Archery and Mentorship, is operating under the international umbrella of Traditional Archers International.
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The club has secured a woodland recreational licence from Coillte, creating a dedicated base for traditional field archery training, woodland shooting courses, community gatherings, and future events.
Located only minutes from M7 Exit 15, the club is within easy reach of Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Emo, Ballybrittas, Monasterevin, Kildare Town, Rathangan, Abbeyleix, Stradbally, Newbridge, Athy, Clonaslee, and surrounding communities.
The club is open to complete beginners as well as experienced archers who would like to help build a new traditional archery community in the Midlands.
Activities will follow Traditional Archers International sporting regulations, with an emphasis on outdoor activity, mentorship, heritage, skill development, and community participation.
To make the sport as accessible as possible, TIFAM has confirmed that during the club’s first year of operation, members will not be required to pay membership fees or insurance payments.
Full insurance cover is already in place for year-round archery activities, including woodland and indoor practice, as well as participation connected to ETO2027 activities.
TIFAM is also inviting volunteers to assist with preparations for the ETO – European Traditional Open, a major international traditional archery tournament scheduled to take place in Portlaoise from 17–21 May, 2027.
Existing archery clubs across Ireland are also encouraged to make contact if they are interested in developing traditional archery under the TIFAM umbrella and in accordance with TAI sporting regulations and international standards.
For further information, contact Marcin on +353 83 472 2922 or email [email protected].
Andrew can also be contacted at [email protected].