The Egyptians held tug-of-war contests in 2500 BC. Evidence of Tug of War as a sport is found on a wall engraving in the tomb of Merera - ku in Sakkara (Egypt). This engraving is dated as 2000 B.C. In 500BC It formed part of the Ancient Greek Games in Greece.

Ancient Koreans were recorded to have engaged in numerous traditional sports games, such as kite flying, and tug-of-war. Korean tug-of-war involved a large group of villagers participating in the contest, divided into two teams. Each Team at both ends of a long thick rope, which was made of rice straw, pull on the rope, believing that the winning side would enjoy a good harvest that year.

In the 12^th century Tug of war is recorded as a Sport in The court of the Chinese Emperors.

The Chinese used a Main rope and many side ropes. In the 13^th and 14^th centuries the Sport was widespread across Aisa. Records exist in Mongolia and Turkey

In western Europe the history of Tug of war starts in the year 1000 A.D. in the stories of the heroic champions from Scandinavia and Germany. In the 15^th and 16^th century Tug of War was a popular contest during tournaments in French chateaux gardens. And later in tournaments in Great Britain.

In Modern Times, Namely, tug-of-war was featured in the Olympic Games, It was then that team sports were removed from the Olympics.

The current rules are similar to the rules as used during the Olympic period of Tug of War.

The Tug of war Association ( Great Britain) was founded in 1958.

The international federation was formed in 1960 under the stewardship of George Hutton of the Great Britain Association and Rudolf Ullmark of Sweden.

The First TWIF Meeting was in Sweeden in 1964.

The first modern International Event was at the Baltic games in 1964.

TWIF organised its first European Championships in London at Crystal Palace in 1965.

After non-European countries had also joined the international federation, TWIF held its first World Championships in 1975 in the Netherlands.

The sport of Tug of War has been included in World Games from the first event in Santa Clara, U.S.A. in 1981.

The Tailteann Games were Held in Ireland in 1924, 1928, and 1932. Tug of war was featured in these games. We know that Barnaculla won the games in 1928.

The Leinster branch and was founded in 1967. The Acronym ITOWA is used since its formation. ITOWA became a member of TWIF in 1967 following its foundation.

Ireland firstly competed the European Championships in 1969 in Holland in 1968.  In 1967 a group of People founded the The Irish Tug of war Association.  The same Year the Leinster Branch was founded. The Founder Members include. Bob Dean from Fermoy, Bob started as Chairman and later served as President. Dan Ryan from Two Mile House with his son Jack, and his son in law, Eddie. Dan served member and became President after Bob Dean. Eddie Hubbard is still in the Association today and is Secretary of the Leinster Branch. John Feery from ballycommom, was treasure for a prolonged period and is still a member today. Eddie Fox from Roundwood is still an active member and officer of the Leinster branch.  Brendan and Kevin Whelan from Clongeen, and Jim Curtis from Clongeen were also there at the start. Jim initially was a puller with Clongeen and later an officer with the ITOWA and TWIF. One person that was not there at the actual start but has arguably had the Greatest Impact on Tug of war as a  Sport in Ireland wasTom Elmore from Omeath.  Tom was Chairman and a member of TWIF for more than two decades.