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 displays an interesting Badminton Gazette article from January 1950. In the Interprovincial Match Northern Branch (now Ulster Branch) defeated Midland Branch (now Leinster Branch) by 6 matches to 3. This was the first appearance in these matches by Chick Doyle, Des Lacey and Vi Gillespie for Midland and Scott Huey and Arminella Foster for Northern. The famous Strollers played an Exhibition match in Belfast. The correspondent appears not to have been happy with the standard of play. Another item that would not appear in current reports is that Trials were played before Irish Teams were selected. From this list it would seem that some players would not have been requested to attend as their selection was deemed automatic.

The Gallery item shows the Ailesbury Team that competed in the European Cup in Spain in 1989. A number of these players are playing Masters Badminton and it is good to note that Pam Peard has just recently won the 50+ World Masters partnered by Sian Williams.

I am getting continuing interest in the Museum project. The continuing lack of interest shown by the National Governing Body is very disappointing. Their only contact occurs when they are seeking information on past items. I am very glad to receive comments and criticisms through the website.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator