Mayo GAA Handball Championship

Handball is one of the oldest games played in Ireland, and county-level competition is where the sport is at its most intense and most local. The Mayo GAA Handball Championship brings together the county’s best players across singles and doubles categories, competing on the 40x20 four-walled court - a fast, unforgiving format where every shot counts and there is nowhere to hide. If you have never watched competitive handball before, a county championship match is a good starting point: the rallies are quick, the skill level is high, and the atmosphere in a well-attended court is far more charged than you might expect for a sport that rarely makes the headlines.

What to expect

The 40x20 code is the dominant championship format in Irish handball. Played in an indoor four-walled court roughly the size of a racquetball court, it rewards players with fast reflexes, tactical serving and the ability to cover the floor at pace. Points can only be won by the server, which means momentum can shift sharply - a single run of points in a hot match can feel like a game inside a game. Both singles and doubles are held across the county competition, which means the cards tend to feature multiple matches in sequence. Matches run throughout July and August at various club venues across the county, so the 25 July fixture is one round in a longer competition. Check the Mayo GAA website or contact the handball officer directly for confirmed fixtures at specific courts before you travel.

Getting there

Castlebar is the county town of Mayo and the most straightforward base for matches in the region. It sits at the junction of the N5 (Dublin - Castlebar, roughly 2.5 hours) and the N60, with good road links from Westport, Ballina and Knock. Bus Eireann runs regular Expressway services from Dublin and Galway into Castlebar. Individual club courts around the county will have their own parking; most club venues in rural Mayo have free on-site spaces and a short walk to the alley.

While you’re in Castlebar

The town is a solid base for exploring west Mayo - the Greenway is within easy reach, and the wider county holds some of Ireland’s best Atlantic coastline and walking country. There is more to see in Castlebar and across Co. Mayo.

Good to know

• Date: Saturday 25 July 2026
• Time: 5:00pm (for confirmed fixtures at specific venues, check closer to the date)
• Price: From EUR 3
• Organiser: Mayo GAA - check mayogaa.ie for handball fixtures and venue details
• Note: Matches are held at various club courts throughout the county; the venue for any given round is confirmed by Mayo GAA handball officers