Ice hockey has been played informally in Ireland since the mid-1980s, at first in Dublin’s Dolphin’s Barn and Phibsborough ice rinks. The Irish Ice Hockey Association was formed in 1996 and became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation the following year.

An Irish men’s team comprising resident North Americans and native Irish players competed in its first World Championships (Division Three) in 2004, recording its first victory on St Patrick’s Day.

An all-Irish roster, drawn from both sides of the Border, competes in this year’s Division Three World Championships, held in New Zealand from April 10th to 16th.

Nineteen teams, from Belfast, Drogheda, Dundalk, Dublin and Kilkenny, compete in the Irish Ice Hockey League.

All matches are played in the 1,200-seat Dundalk Ice Dome, the Republic’s only Olympic-sized rink.