Sport in all its forms is central to many people's lives and is an expression of culture that is very much rooted in place. It creates its own emotional attachments and loyalties.   Different localities across Ireland have been defined by their sporting endeavours and achievements. This new atlas will trace the history of Ireland's sporting culture and identity from the earliest times to the present. It will look at the evolution of different sports before the advent of rules and codification in the late Victorian period.   The modernisation of Irelands sporting culture will be explored through the prism of major sports like horse racing, Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rugby, athletics etc. as well as minority sports. The history of Irish sport extends beyond the island and the sporting traditions of Ireland's diaspora will also be examined in detail.   Comprehensive in scope and richly illustrated the atlas will include contributions from Ireland's leading historians and sports writers.