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.

In the light of the work being carried out at Terenure Centre the Gallery Section relates to the addition of Courts 5 and 6 and other additional facilities. The year is 1978 and the model shows how the completed Centre will look. The cost of the development was £60,000. It was financed by way of a levy on each player, interest free loans of £250 from members and friends and the balance was provided by a Bank loan. Some of the personnel in the photograph are as follows – at back 1st.left Frank O'Reilly (past Chairperson and President of Branch) 3rd. left Frank Brennan (past Chairperson of Branch). In front on left Chick Doyle (Branch President at the time) and Michael Donnelly (Branch Honorary Treasurer at the time) Displayed by kind permission of Leinster Branch

The Press report from 1945 gives a very interesting overview of the problems faced by Badminton in this period. Dublin and District League and Cup Competitions seemed impervious to difficulties with 80 teams competing. This was helped by the fact that shuttles were somehow reconditioned. It would be interesting to get the feelings of current players to the use of such shuttles. The reporter expresses serious concern about the playing standard and puts a lot of blame on overcrowded courts and halls that seriously lacked facilities. The plea to clubs to review their non-acceptance of beginners would have, I suspect, fallen on deaf ears. The lack of Tournaments did not help in the aim of improving playing standards. This was mainly caused by lack of shuttles. It would be interesting to know which club allegedly cornered the supply of shuttles. Displayed by kind permission of Peard Collection.

Progress towards a home for the museum is still slow. However I would be pleased to receive expressions of interest in donations or loans of memorabilia.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator