# Blood And Thunder

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/liam-ocallaghan/blood-and-thunder

![Blood And Thunder](https://quivercdn.com/covers/penguin/liam-ocallaghan/blood-and-thunder_978-02-4199-976-9.jpg?v=2026-04-25%2019%3A41%3A45)

- Authors: [Liam O’Callaghan](https://www.bookquiver.com/liam-ocallaghan)
- Language: en_GB
- Published: 2024-09-05

## Description

Liam O'Callaghan's revelatory Blood and Thunder shows that the rise of Irish rugby is inextricable from the tensions, debates and divisions – of politics, religion and class – that have defined modern Irish history. Despite the political partition of the island, Ireland competes at rugby internationally with an all-island team – and with a bespoke anthem that nobody loves but everyone tolerates. Ireland has become a leading rugby nation despite its tiny population and the fact that the sport is only the fourth most popular team game on the island by participation. In Blood and Thunder , O’Callaghan traces the dramatic evolution whereby a rugby nation that was deeply attached to amateurism has made such a dramatic success of professionalism. From the sequence of events that led Ireland's private Catholic secondary schools to embrace rugby, to the controversies and crises that have shaken Irish rugby – including the Northern Troubles, the Belfast rape trial, and the rising toll of head injuries – Blood and Thunder tells the rich and fascinating story of Irish rugby. Blood and Thunder is more than a social and political history of Irish rugby. It is also a shadow-history of modern Ireland, rooted in brilliant original research and packed with terrific stories.

## Editions

### Blood And Thunder

- Publisher: Penguin
- ISBN: 978-02-4199-976-9
- Pages: 320
- Published: 2025-04-24
- Language: en_GB

### Blood And Thunder

- Publisher: Sandycove
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-18-4488-662-3
- Published: 2024-09-05
- Language: en_GB