[5] The "bullet" or "bowl" (Irish: ból) is a solid iron cannonball of c.18 centimetres (7 in) circumference and 28 ounces (794 g) weight.

[citation needed] Fintan Lane, in his book Long Bullets: A History of Road Bowling in Ireland, traces the sport to at least the 17th century and suggests that it was once far more widespread than it is today.

[9] Ból Chumann na hÉireann was formed in 1954 to replace the less organised All-Ireland Bowl Players Association.

[11] As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, Ból Chumann na hÉireann sanctioned a "temporary ban on the sport".

[14] The sport is also played in counties Mayo (Castlebar), Limerick, Waterford, Louth, Monaghan and later in Tyrone and Wexford and also in Dagenham, London, UK.

[23] One of the world's largest Irish road bowling events is held annually in September in Wheeling, West Virginia, where it is hosted by a local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

[citation needed] Klootschieten is a similar game played in the Netherlands and northwest Germany,[5] including in Friesland and Schleswig-Holstein, and international events have been staged between these regions and Ireland.

Additionally, footage of a road bowling score is included in a YouTube video shot by band founders Pat Murphy and Steve Twigger about their trip to Murphy's native County Cork during the production of their album Chicken Boxer (which includes Out the Road).