sports

February 14, 2026

‘A whole lost culture’: the Irishman reviving the forgotten sport of stone lifting

For centuries in Ireland lifting huge boulders was a way to test strength and bond communities, says Instagram sensation Indiana Stones

‘A whole lost culture’: the Irishman reviving the forgotten sport of stone lifting

TL;DR

  • David Keohan, also known as Indiana Stones, is reviving the ancient Irish sport of stone lifting.
  • Stone lifting historically served as a test of strength, a way to bond communities, and was performed at events like funerals and festivals.
  • Keohan has identified 53 lifting stones in Ireland and aims to find more, connecting people to a practice stretching back millennia.
  • The sport is regaining popularity through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and organized competitions.
  • Keohan's efforts, along with cultural historian Conor Heffernan, aim to get stone lifting recognized as Ireland's intangible cultural heritage.
  • The tradition has historical ties to colonial rebellion and is seen as a way to reconnect with Irish culture and identity.

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