Irish Blacksmith Made "Good Luck" Horseshoe c1900

The horseshoe is called cru in the oldest of Irish documents.  It is given with this meaning in all modern dictionaries and cru is still the living word for a horseshoe, not only in Irish, but in Scots Gaelic and Manx (Isle of Man).  The earliest reference to horseshoes in Ireland (cru) was an entry in the Annals of the Four Masters - ad1384 – it says that Tomaltach MacDorcy Chief of the Kinel-Duachain, was killed by his own knife while shoeing a horse (ag cur cru:  putting on a horseshoe). 

Good Luck Horseshoe

The horseshoe as an emblem of good luck is universal. 

In the earliest historic times, and in primitive communities, the entrance to a dwelling was considered a sacred place; and in the opinion of eminent scholars who have made a study of the subject, the threshold was the first family altar. 

The horseshoe is placed over the hall door to let good luck come in and to keep bad luck out.

Horseshoe Throwing

Horseshoe Throwing has always been a favourite sport among Traveller men and older boys.

This is how it is played:

1. A long iron bar is stuck into the ground.

2. The players stand 30ft from the bar and throw the horseshoe.

Scores:

1             Horseshoe nearest the bar                   1 point.            

2             Horseshoe tipping the bar                    2 points.

3             Horseshoe standing against the bar        5 points.

4             Horseshoe around the bar                     10 points.