The Ashbourne Cup is an Irish camogie tournament played each year to determine the national champion university or third level college.

In 1915 she persuaded her friend, Irish language activist William Gibson, aka Liam Mac Giolla Bhríde (1868–1942), second Lord Ashbourne, to donate a trophy for the camogie intervarsity competition.

The Purcell Cup, was donated by Úna Uí Phuirséil, President of the Camogie Association 1976–78, and her husband Pádraig Puirséil, Gaelic games correspondent for the Irish Press 1954–78.

The remaining teams not in the first three championships participate in the 4th division or Uí Mhaolagáin cup, with the format following the group and knockout stages implemented in the other competitions.

[7] [8] Highlights and incidents of the championship history include: Until 1960 the series was played as a round robin over different weekends in the winter.

Higher Education] committee of Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael instituted Ashbourne All-Stars for the best players in each position at the end of the tournament.

Martina O'Brien (IT Tralee); Karen Mullins (DIT), Therese Lynn (Maynooth), Sarah Ryan (DIT); Rachel Ruddy (Trinity), Edwina Keane (IT Tralee), Aileen O'Loughlin (DIT); Jane Dolan (DIT), Paula Kenny (Garda College); Christine Kenny (DCU), Keelin Bradley (Queen's), Niamh Mulcahy (Mary I); Shauna Jordan (Queen's), Colette McSorley (Queen's), Louise Walsh (Maynooth) Laura Quinn (QUB & Derry); Gráinne Quinn (DIT & Dublin), Kate Lynch (Mary I Limerick & Clare), Laura Twomey (DCU & Dublin); Mairead Short (QUB & Armagh), Cathriona Foley (Trinity & Cork), Emma Brennan (DCU & Cork); Jane Dolan (DIT & Meath), Keelan Bradley (QUB & Derry); Cathy Bowes (DIT & Galway), Colette McSorley (QUB & Armagh), Aoife Burke (DIT & Laois); Sinead Cassidy (QUB & Derry), Orlaith Murphy (IT Tralee & Cork), Joeleen Hoary (DIT & Dublin);[41] Gráinne Smyth (DIT & Dublin), Rebecca Cleere (Maynooth & Kilkenny), Lisa Carey (DCU & Kilkenny), Danielle McCrystal (QUB & Derry), Mairéad Power (DCU & Kilkenny), Emma Brennan (DCU & Carlow), Kristina Troy (Maynooth & Meath), Katie Campbell (Mary I Limerick & Limerick), Laura Twomey (DCU & Dublin), Orlaith Walsh (St Pats, Drumcondra & Kilkenny), Sinéad Cassidy (QUB & Derry), Ciara Donnelly (QUB & Armagh), Orla Durkan (DCU & Dublin), Naomi Carroll (Mary I Limerick & Clare), Denise Luby (Cork IT & Cork)