Gaelic handball (known in Ireland simply as handball;[4][5][6][7] Irish: liathróid láimhe) is a sport where players hit a ball with a hand or fist against a wall in such a way as to make a shot the opposition cannot return,[8] and that may be played with two (singles) or four players (doubles).

[citation needed] On the west coast of Ireland, Galway had many trading links with Spain, especially the Basque regions, where the similar game of pelota is played.

In 1924 Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann (the Irish Handball Council) was established to promote, develop and organise the sport.

[15][16] The association's work can be seen in corners of rural Ireland where there are many handball alleys in villages and small towns.

[18] Taoiseach, President of Ireland and Irish revolutionary Éamon de Valera was a fan of the sport.

Austin Stack records in his diary (while in Arbour Hill Prison) that on 26 April 1924 "Dev [De Valera] beat me decisively a couple of times" at handball.

These include the two domestic codes: and two international as played in Ireland: There are many handball competitions that are run in Ireland, such as the All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles Championship, All-Ireland Senior 4-Wall Championships and Irish Wallball Nationals to name a few.

In 60x30 Softball and Hardball, the main competitions are County, Province, and All-Ireland Championships and the Junior B Interclub.

In 2011 GAA Handball Ireland launched the 60x30 Softball Nationals and this competition will be held in July.