Trip to Paris, June 2010
David Lowry and fellow cycling enthusiasts played on the Paris and Fontainebleau courts during a recent trip to Paris.
2010 Championships results
Congratulations to Irish Champion Roland Budd, and to Open Champion David Lowry.
120th anniversary of World Championships
In 1890, the World Championships for Real Tennis were played in the Dublin court.
IRTA and Dublin University Squash Rackets Club trip to Oxford, UK
IRTA members David Lowry and Alvar Soosar organised some time and lessons on the Oxford real tennis court for members of the DUSRC squad.
Historical article from The Irish Times available
The Irish Times of 8 December, 1948, carried an article discussing the possibility of reviving Real Tennis in Dublin.
2009 Championships results
Congratulations to Irish Champion Stuart Baxter, and to Open Champion Mark Heffernan!
Trip to Leamington and Moreton Morrell
Stephen Kelly reports on a successful and enjoyable trip to Leamington Spa and Moreton Morrell clubs.
Copy of article in The Dubliner magazine
The March, 2008 issue of The Dubliner magazine contained a very positive article on our progress towards restoration of the Dublin court.
Call for entrants for 2009 Championships
To be held on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, at Middlesex University Real Tennis Club.
2009 AGM
Please contact us if you would like a copy of the minutes.
Tennis mentioned in Dublin Historical Record
The article 'Two Hundred Men at Tennis' appeared in Vol. LXI of the Dublin Historical Record, and included many mentions of tennis.
2008 Championships
Congratulations to Irish Champion Roland Budd and to Open Champion Mark Heffernan!
IRTA tour of south-west England
A busy weekend took IRTA members to Canford, Bristol and Bath, and The Hyde.
2008 AGM
Please contact us if you would like a copy of the minutes.
Leaflet with latest news on Dublin Court published
Kárlis Zauers produced this brochure, mainly for distribution at the Tuxedo Club tournament in the USA, but generally available here.
Irish Times article on World Championships (May 1890) available
IRTA member David Lowry dug out a microfiche copy of the Irish Times from May 1890, which contained a report on the first day of play of the World Championships, held in the Dublin real tennis court. David also transcribed the article for its historical interest.
IRTA trip to Moreton Morrell and the Oratory School
A recent trip combined visits to the tennis courts of Moreton Morrel and the Oratory School.
Update on Dublin Court
We are delighted to announce that we have been recently in touch with the Office of Public Works. With University College Dublin having vacated the building, the Office of Public Works have indicated that they will work with us to restore the Dublin Real Tennis Court to play. Discussions between the IRTA and the Office of Public Works are at a very early stage, but this is definitely a large step towards achieving our goals. We will publish more news as it unfolds.
IRTA return to Manchester
Members of the IRTA paid a visit to Manchester, for lessons and also matches against the home team.
IRTA in Cambridge
New member Stephen Kelly reports on a trip to Cambridge, which combined introductory coaching with plenty of match play.
2007 Championship
We returned to Bristol and Bath Tennis Club for our 2007 Championships. Roland Budd again retained his title as Irish Champion, and also took the Open Doubles Championship, playing with Kárlis Zauers. A very successful weekend.
Article in Trinity News
IRTA member David Lowry wrote a piece for Trinity News introducing the game of real tennis to its readers.
IRTA in Manchester
A group of IRTA players, both beginners and more experienced players, went to Manchester for a weekend of tennis.
Joint IRTA / Dublin University Squash Rackets Club trip to Oxford, UK
Some of the Irish newcomers to real tennis are members of Dublin University Squash Rackets Club, and they took advantage of a DUSRC/Oxford squash match to introduce some fellow squash players to real tennis at the Oxford Club.
Return IRTA trip to Cambridge, UK
We were kindly invited back to Cambridge for a weekend of coaching and play. We also met up with some members of the Dutch Real Tennis Association.
Objection to destruction of Real Tennis court in Scotland
We learnt of a planning application to demolish a real tennis court in Troon, Scotland, and sent an objection to the relevant authorities.
IRTA fixture at Jesmond Dene, UK
A group of IRTA players from Ireland went over to Newcastle, UK, for a very enjoyable weekend of tennis at Jesmond Dene Real Tennis club.
IRTA trip to Cambridge, UK
Roland Budd led a group of newcomers to the game in a trip to the Cambridge club for a weekend of introductory lessons and play.
2006 Championship winners
We were delighted to be back at Holyport Real Tennis Club for our 2006 Championships. Roland Budd retained his title as Irish Champion, and Jim Duncan won the Open Championship. A very successful weekend.
Court status update number 11
Ted Neville, secretary of the IRTA, provides an update on the Dublin court situation.
2006 AGM
Please contact us if you would like a copy of the minutes.
2005 Championship winners
Our 2005 championships were kindly hosted by Holyport Real Tennis Club. Roland Budd emerged as Irish Champion, and Tim Church as Open Champion. A very enjoyable weekend was had by all.
2005 AGM
We held a fruitful AGM on 5 March, in facilities kindly provided, as last year, by Trinity College, Dublin. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the minutes.
IRTA vs Moreton Morrell
A team of IRTA members converged on Moreton Morrell to play a fixture over the weekend of 15--16 January. The doubles play produced very enjoyable tennis, and it was also an opportunity to meet and socialise with the Moreton Morrell membership.
2004 Championship winners
A very successful weekend was hosted by the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club, where Alastair MacKeown became Irish Champion, and Nick Ponsford Open Champion. Pictures now available.
IRTA plans 2004 Championships
After the success of our 2003 event, we are delighted to have been invited back to the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club for our 2004 tournament.

IRTA's 2004 AGM

Updated: February, 2004

We held our 2004 AGM in the Luce Sports Centre, in Trinity College, Dublin. We are very grateful to Trinity College for allowing us to use their facilities for our meeting, and to everybody who attended.

Journalists from the Sunday Tribune interviewed IRTA secretary Ted Neville, and the campaign to have the Dublin court restored featured in an article on page 6 of the 22 Feb Sunday Tribune.

Proposal for new Real Tennis court in Perth, Australia

February, 2004

Although a long way from Ireland, this is worthy of mention here because it shows the strengthening in popularity of the game worldwide. A Perth businessman is proposing to convert a hall contained within an old hospital into a real tennis court. See the ongoing reports on the real tennis online website for more details on this exciting development.

First issue of IRTA newsletter available

November, 2003

Issue no. 1 of the IRTA's newsletter is now available. We hope to produce a newsletter a few times a year and send it out to members and others who have expressed an interest. If you would like to receive a paper copy, please get in touch. It is also available as a PDF file (650k).

2003 IRTA Championship a great success

Updated: June, 2003

The IRTA held the first Irish Real Tennis Championship on the weekend of Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, 2003. Because Ireland lacks a playable real tennis court, the event took place at Bristol and Bath Tennis Club.

See the championship web page for a full report, including pictures.

IRTA seeks information from Country Life readers

May, 2003

IRTA Committee member John McGrath writes, in the Questions and Answers section of the May 15 issue of Country Life,

I am a committee member of the Irish Real Tennis Association and am trying to trace photographs, artefacts and ephemera of any condition relating to the real tennis court at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. Passing into the ownership of the Irish government as a present from Rupert Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh in 1939, the court has been used from that date as an engineering laboratory for University College and offices for a government agency. However, we are aiming to reinstate this architectural and sporting gem to its original use, as it is believed to be an outstanding example of its genre. Any photographs revealing how the interior used to look would be appreciated --- we have none to date.

If any visitors to this web-site have any photographs or other material of interest, please get in touch. Thank you.

World Champion Rob Fahey wishes IRTA luck

March, 2003

On holiday in Australia, two members of the IRTA, Ben and Bear North, called in to the ever-welcoming Melbourne Royal Tennis Club. The current world champion, Rob Fahey, is one of the professionals at the club. Rob has Irish roots, and spent some time with Ben and Bear discussing current progress with the Dublin court. He sends his regards to the IRTA, and wishes them luck with their endeavours.

World real tennis champion, Rob Fahey (left), with IRTA member Ben North on the court at Melbourne Royal Tennis Club recently.
Rob Fahey (world champion) with Ben North
IRTA applies for Irish Sports Council recognition
The IRTA is seeking recognition by the Irish Sports Council, as the National Governing Body of Sport for the sport of Real Tennis.