Northern Ireland at the 1938 British Empire Games

Northern Ireland at the 1938 British Empire Games
CGF code	NIR
CGA	Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council
Website	nicgc.org
in Sydney, Australia
Medals	Gold 0 Silver 0 Bronze 0 Total 0
British Empire Games appearances
1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022 2026 2030
Other related appearances
Ireland (1930)

Northern Ireland at the 1938 British Empire Games (abbreviated NIR) was the second time that the nation had participated at the Games following an appearance in 1934. ^[1] Only four athletes were sent during a time of political change that saw the Irish Free State recently becoming Ireland. ^[2]

The Games were held in Sydney, Australia from 5 to 12 February 1938 and Northern Ireland was unplaced in the medal table, being one of five nations (out of 15) that did not win a medal. ^[3]

Photo of a Northern Irish athlete at the Games (believed to be Alexander Haire)

Team

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 1938 British Empire Games

Athlete	Events	Club	Notes
Alexander Haire	880 yards / 1 mile	R.U.C.	[4]
Albert Shillington	long jump/triple jump	Willowfield Temperance Harriers, Belfast	[5]
John Clarke	Pole vault, javelin	R.U.C.	[4]

Lawn Bowls

Main article: Lawn bowls at the 1938 British Empire Games

Athlete	Events	Club	Notes
W. J. Clarke	singles	Cavehill BC, Belfast	[6]

References

1. "Northern Ireland". Commonwealth Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
2. "State formation, diplomacy and sport: the British Empire Games, Ireland and Northern Ireland, 1930–38". Cambridge University. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
3. "Medal Standings Sydney 1938". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
4. "R.U.C Athletics" . Belfast News-Letter. 5 November 1937. Retrieved 27 August 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "Police Athletes" . Belfast News-Letter. 5 November 1937. Retrieved 27 August 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "Bowling" . Belfast News-Letter. 18 November 1937. Retrieved 27 August 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.