Welcome to BADMINTON MUSEUM OF IRELAND.

The purpose of the Badminton Museum of Ireland is to preserve the great heritage of Irish Badminton and to make the general badminton public aware of it.

For the June issue we are continuing with a photograph (gallery section) together with a Press report (Historical section).

The photograph is of the Irish Team that lost to England at the Horticultural Hall Westminster London in 1914. R.H.Plews was capped 12 times by Ireland. Those who played League and Tournament Badminton in the 1960s and 1970s will recall his daughter Joan who was a very regular competitor. It is interesting to note that she employed a backhand serve at a time that this was extremely rare. J.D.M.McCallum was capped 8 times and his contribution to Badminton, particularly in Ulster was of such significance Ulster Branch named their Hall after him. Unfortunately this Hall no longer exists.

The Press report is from March 1953 and gives an indication of the reporting that the game enjoyed. At that time there were many inter-city matches played in addition to official Interprovincial matches It is interesting to note the number of International players who played in the Exhibition match. In reading the report it can be seen that the Branches were designated differently i.e. Northern, Southern, Midland and Western. This has now been changed back to the normal provincial names. The size of the entry for the Midland Branch end of season Tournament shows its popularity and the venue of course is no longer used for Badminton. The Carlow Tournament on St.Patricks Day always attracted a strong entry. I would be interested to hear from Carlow when this event was last played.

I would be delighted to receive comments through the website. In response to comments I have received the website will from now on be updated twice a month.

Dick O’Rafferty, Curator, Badminton Museum of Ireland