Slinging

The Sling, sometimes wrongly called the slingshot is one of the oldest(if not the oldest) dedicated missile weapons in the world. Used on every continent except Australia(although there is some evidence of its use in the north).For those interested in learning more visit http://slinging.org/

The sling plays a prominent role in Irish history and mythology, used by heros like Lugh Lamhfada and Cuchulainn and by every Irish youth until the late middle ages. There is even a myth surrounding the founding of Dublin which involves a sling.

Despite this slinging does not seem to have survived into the modern era. In Spain and particularly the Balearic Islands it is a recognised sport and still used by shepherds in Andalusia. It is also a national sport in Tibet Bhutan and Peru as well as being used in conflicts in Bolivia Palestine Morocco and unrest in Greece. All of these countries have strong sling making and sling usage in their history.

Does anyone know of sling usage in Ireland currently or in recent history? There must be stories of slinging from at least the last few hundred years.