[i]"It is often stated, though usually in a broad context, that history is bound to repeat itself, that events long past will reoccur in modern times with a similar tone to those of antiquity. Well on June 25th 2011, history will repeat itself, but that usual broad context will be narrowed to a single significant point in the history of two great nations, a point found one hundred and thirty six years ago on the sands of Dollymount Strand.
The story begins however, on September 26th 1874 at the Creedmoor National Rifle Range in Long Island, New York, on that far away continent of America. The Creedmoor range was opened the previous spring in 1873 and was built to be the home of what was then a little know organisation that had been formed in 1871 calling itself the “National Rifle Association”, better known today simple as, the NRA.
1873 also saw the establishment of the “Amateur Club of New York” within the NRA by a group of civilian riflemen whose aim was to promote the use of the fullbore sporting rifle as a national pastime without any military overtones.
Meanwhile, across the water, Ireland which had been allowed to compete with England and Scotland for the Elcho Shield since 1865 had won it for the first time that year in 1873. Drunk with success the Irish riflemen, who were aware of the goings on in the New World, put a challenge to the “Riflemen of America” for an international match to be held in 1874 at the Creedmoor National Rifle Range to decide the “Championship of The World”. The challenge was accepted by the Amateur Club of New York on behalf of the riflemen of America and the scene was set for the first of two great international shooting matches between Ireland and America which would bind forever in the hearts and minds of the men of both countries, a deep love and respect for the rifle."
The Creedmoor International Rifle Match 1874 ~ The Creedmore Cup 2011
For more information about this historical event you can read the full story on the
National Rifle Association of Ireland website. 
