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.

The Historical Item this month displays an article from the Badminton Gazette in 1960. I don’t know who penned the amusing verses on Irish team members but for those who know the players I am sure they brought out a knowing smile. The efforts of the Midland (now Leinster) Branch to improve the standard of play is shown by the exhibition matches which were put on at the start of the season and the Player Development Programme initiated by Frank Peard is also noted. The good news of Sue Peard’s arrival in Ireland is acknowledged and welcomed.

The Gallery item displays the Irish Team from 1955 and readers can identify some of the players who featured in the verses appearing in the Historical Section.

It is now three years since items have been uploaded to the website and close on sixty Gallery and Historical items have been shown. Badminton Museum of Ireland is a properly set up body having a constitution and Trustees. The Trustees act in a totally voluntary capacity and recognise the valuable heritage of Irish Badminton. Many expressions of interest have been received and we have been able to function in the way we have because of generous donors who have pledged €10k for equipment for the Museum. To operate properly an adequate archive accommodation is required and the lack of support from the National Governing Body is a disappointment.

Despite this situation the Trustees are keen to accept memorabilia either as a donation or a loan and are grateful to those who have been supportive in this regard. In future issues I will be making some detailed references to a History of Galway Lawn Tennis Club and a History of Kerry Badminton Association celebrating 75 years of Badminton in the County. Contact can be made at any time through the web site.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator