The Irish Eight

The British National Rifle Association came into being in 1859 and a new emphasis was given to accurate long range rifle shooting.
Their inaugural match at Wimbledon was held in 1860 with Queen Victoria firing the first shot. John Rigby won the individual prize in 1864 and the Irish Team, using Rigby rifles and with him as its captain, won the Elcho Shield match in 1873.
The Irish team then challenged the Americans to a match at their new Creedmoor range in New York. The American team won, what is now the Leech Cup, on the last shot.
A few days later, the Irish team won the Bennett Cup with Rigby having the high individual score.
The Leech Cup match is held annually at Camp Perry, Ohio and is the oldest competition in US shooting sports.

The Irish Eight, holders of the Elcho Shield, photo circa, August 4th 1888



Front row.
Thynne, Capt Barnett, A.Ganly, R.Smith, Doyle.

Back Row
W.T.Braithwaite, Major Fenton, J.Rigby, W.R.Joynt

Of the Irish team, Fenton, Joynt & Rigby were shooting Rigby rifles, the remainder using Metfords by Gibbs.