| Hockey Ireland | |
| Headquarters: | Unit 6 Sports HQ2 Sport Ireland Campus Blanchardstown Dublin 15[1] |
| Region Served: | Ireland |
| Leader Title: | Secretary |
| Leader Name: | Pamela Bastable |
| Leader Title2: | Chair |
| Leader Name2: | Trevor Watkins |
| Leader Title3: | President |
| Leader Name3: | John Dennis[2] |
| Parent Organization: | International Hockey Federation |
| Affiliations: | European Hockey Federation Sport Ireland Sport Northern Ireland Olympic Federation of Ireland |
| Former Name: | Irish Hockey Union Irish Ladies Hockey Union Irish Hockey Association |
Hockey Ireland, previously known as the Irish Hockey Association, is the governing body for field hockey in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is responsible for organising both the Ireland men's national field hockey team and the Ireland women's national field hockey team, as well as national leagues and cup competitions. Hockey Ireland is mainly funded through grants as well as small contributions from Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland. In 2013 Hockey Ireland became a limited company. Approximately 168 clubs and 280 schools are affiliated to Hockey Ireland.[3]
The Irish Hockey Union was founded on 6 February 1893, following a meeting at the Wicklow Hotel. The men's Irish Senior Cup was first played for in 1893–94, making it the oldest field hockey cup competition in the world. The men's Irish Junior Cup was first played for in 1894–95. On 26 January 1895 the Ireland men's national field hockey team played in the first ever international field hockey match when they defeated Wales 3–0 in Rhyl. The Irish Ladies Hockey Union was established in 1894, following a meeting at Alexandra College. In March 1896 they hosted the first ever women's international field hockey match when the Ireland women's national field hockey team defeated England 2–0 at Alexandra College. Ireland joined the International Hockey Federation in 1950.[4] [5] [6] [7] The two unions merged in May 2000 to form the Irish Hockey Association. The merger came about after the International Hockey Federation declared in 1998 that each national member must be governed by just one organisation.[4] [5] [8]