Lofting the Viaduct ranks amongst the most prestigious disciplines in the sport of road bowling in Ireland. From Mick Barry in 1955 to Hans Bohlken in 1985 , it has entered into folklore as an almost mystical place. An intimidating monument to overcome and only done by those with special skills.
Though two other bowlers from the 1930s lay claim to successfully lofting the Viaduct , only one bowler is officially documented as having achieved the honour. In 1955 , Mick Barry launched a 16oz bowl clean over the top. In so doing , he entered bowling history as the first man to defeat the " Everest " of road bowling. Most proponents of the sport list him as the greatest bowl player of all time.
First bowler to loft the Viaduct
The Viaduct ( named after the townland of Chetwynd in Togher ) is not for the faint hearted! Standing at 90 feet above the Cork Bandon Road , it dares newcomers to defeat it. And defeat it only a select few have! However only one has done so with a 28 ounce ball - the West German - Han Bohlken! Albeit with a ramp he managed to clear the top by 10 feet! Local competitors at the time managed to hit the top of the Viaduct ( but not clear it ) without using the ramp , but onlookers who witnessed the event at the time say Hans not only cleared the Viaduct by a very large margin but managed to " send it almost all the way to the Regional Hospital ( C.U.H. ). "
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The historical event which saw 10,000 spectators turn up on the day on September 8th 1985 was bankrolled by Murphy's brewery as part of the Cork 800 celebrations with a top prize of £5000 for the competitor who could clear with a 28oz bowl and £1000 for anybody who could manage it with a 16oz bowl. 3 Irishmen won the £1000 prize with only one collecting the £5000 - Hans Bohlken.
Hans Bohlken using his ramp to make history
Hans-Georg Bohlken , born 1962 in Sanderbusch , Friesland is a German and multiple European champion. Bohlken , who grew up in Ellens , is known locally by his nickname " The Bear of Ellens. "
Hans-Georg Bohlken lives in the Zetel district of Ruttel. He has two sons who have also made a name for themselves in the frieze sport. In recent years Bohlken has held various functions in the Frisian Klootschießer Association. He is a member of the Klootschießer and Bosselverein "Lat'n rulln" Schweinebrück. In addition to the frieze sport , his hobbies include fishing and hunting. The 63 year old has recently retired from the sport of bowling but his legacy in Cork is assured and his name to a structure in Togher forever linked to him.
Titles
Hans-Georg Bohlken has achieved many victories at International and National championships. The following is a selection :
1st win - winner at the European Championships in Klootschießen 1984 in Garding ( Schleswig-Holstein ).
German champion at the slingshotball 1985 in Heide ( Schleswig-Holstein ).
Historical loft over the Chetwynd Viaduct in Cork Ireland 1985
Winner at the European Championships in Klootschießen 1988 in Norden ( Lower Saxony )
Winner at the European Championships in Klootschießen 1992 in Cork ( Ireland )
German champion in Klootschießen 2003 in Willich ( North Rhine-Westphalia )
He also participated in the European Championships in 2008
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