Hurling has been played in Ireland since mythological times. According to Irish legend the first battle of Moytura in 1272 BC was preceded by a very bloody hurling game between two ancient tribes. After the Norman invasion, hurling was outlawed. Later, The Sunday Observance Act (1695) prohibited hurling and football on Sundays. Yet the games survived. Foreign visitors to Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries noted that hurling and football occupied an important place in the social life of the community.