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 section of this issue displays a dance programme from 1908. This confirms that Listowel Badminton Club was in existence at least as far back as 1908 which places it among one of the oldest clubs in the country. There is a very interesting history of the Club in the history of Kerry Badminton Association spanning 75 years from 1936 from 1936-2011.This is a wonderful publication mainly produced by Listowel’s Junior Griffin.

The gallery section is an image of competitors in the 1958 Glasgow World Invitation Tournament. This Tournament was organised for many years by David Bloomer and there was no doubt that an invitation was an indication that the player was of the highest calibre. Mary Bryan was the only Irish player invited in that year. However Frank Peard and Jim FitzGibbon were regular invitees. I understand that the lifelong partnership of Frank Peard and Sue Devlin sprang to life at this tournament.

I would like to thank those who have provided memorabilia to the Museum and to particularly Barry Coffey who regularly makes contact with interesting items. I am always pleased to receive comments or suggestions through the website.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator