The 1899 Ireland rugby union tour of Canada occurred in October 1899, twenty four years after Ireland's first international. It was
Ireland's first ever international tour. It was also the first overseas tour undertaken by any of the home countries as a single entity.
Seventeen players were selected to make the journey to Canada but no caps were awarded. Three clubs –
Dublin University
The University of Dublin (), corporately named as The Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a research university located in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dublin, whi ...
,
Lansdowne and
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University Football Club, Dublin ...
– provided fifteen of these players. Many of those who went on the tour had not played, nor did they subsequently play, for Ireland.
Many of those who were part of the 1899 Triple Crown side were not able to afford the time or cost of the trip.
Ireland often had to field just fourteen players due to injuries. Among those to be injured was
James Myles who broke his leg.
Myles, who was later elected as an independent
TD of East Donegal, had to remain in Canada until December.
The rest of the touring party had returned home in November. Ireland won 10 of the 11 matches they played.
Their only defeat came against a Halifax XV in the third game of the tour.
They scored 150 points and conceded 51.
The trip was financed by Duke Collins, an
Irish Canadian who originally came from
County Dublin
County Dublin ( or ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland, and holds its capital city, Dublin. It is located on the island's east coast, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Until 1994, County Dubli ...
but had settled in
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
.
[''The Ireland Rugby Miscellany'' (2007): Ciaran Cronin]
Matches
''Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first.''
Touring party
*Manager:
*Secretary:
*Referee:
*Captain: James G. Franks
Squad
See also
*
Ireland national rugby union team tours
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:1899 Ireland Rugby Union Tour Of Canada
Ireland national rugby union team tours
Ireland national rugby union team tours of Canada
Ireland tour
Ireland Rugby Union Tour of Canada, 1899
Rugby Union Tour