Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. It is located in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. It has a population of around 1,800,000, people and Belfast is the capital and largest city.

History of hockey in Northern Ireland

The Belfast Ice Rink opened in October 1939 and the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey League began play that winter. It operated on-and-off until 1954. The Belfast House League later ran from 1966-1969. The Dundonald International Ice Bowl opened in 1986. The Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association (NIIHA) is the governing body of ice hockey in Northern Ireland.

The Belfast Giants play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top level British league, and have won the EIHL Championship in 2006, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2023 and the EIHL Playoff Championship in 2010 and 2023. In addition, they won the Ice Hockey Superleague Championship in 2002, and the Ice Hockey Superleague Playoff Championship the following year, in 2003.

The Northern Irish National Team represents the country in international competitions.

Great Britain

England - Northern Ireland - Scotland - Wales