This research project was carried out on physical education in the Irish primary school. It focuses on the implementation of the physical education curriculum and examines the factors which have inhibited implementation. As a primary school teacher, the researcher was aware that in physical education there appeared to be a significant gap between the theory as set out in the curriculum handbook and the reality of what was happening in schools. It was the researcher’s perception of this gap between policy and practice which prompted the researcher to investigate the circumstances and factors which might have contributed to this situation. The research was conducted at this particular time because of the recent launch of the Revised Primary School Curriculum in 1999. The physical education element of this curriculum is due for introduction in 2004.