2014 Irish Open - Strokestown, Ireland - October, 25 to 27th
reported by Liam Stephens on Sun Oct 05, 2014 1:03 pm - ACF Forum


The Chairman of the Irish Draughts Association, Joe McGuire issued the following letter regarding the Irish Open 2014.

2014 Irish Open Draughts Championship.

The I.D.A. would like to welcome our friends from Ireland and abroad to this unique event, which will be held in the centre of Dublin City. The venue is the Beresford Hotel in Store Street and Beresford Place, and is a three star hotel.(018134700) (0035318134700). The date is 25/26/27. October 2014.
The hotel is situated opposite the Central Bus Station – Busaras.
The main train station - Connolly (serving trains from the North) is just a short walk away from the hotel, or one stop away on the Luas tram (Connolly stop to Busaras stop).
From Heuston station (serving trains from the South), just hop on to the Luas, to the central bus station (Busaras) which is opposite the Hotel. So no matter where you are coming from it could not be more convenient. People coming from the airport can take the public bus No 747 to Busaras.
The cost of a double room is just 70 euro per night, a single is also the same price, and includes breakfast. Every room is ensuite, telly, tea coffee, etc.
However, the committee must point out the importance of booking your room as soon as possible as we have made a good deal with them. Normally it is 100 euro per night, so in fairness to them and us it is important to measure the level of bookings. This is also the holiday weekend and accommodation will be heavily booked, so don’t be disappointed and make your booking now.
Parking in town is not cheap, there is however a concession when staying at the hotel - 24 hour parking for 12 euro, ticket has to be validated at the hotel reception.
In addition to our main event there will be a children’s event on the Sunday which will be held in the Beresford Suite and we look forward to the children and parents participating in this event in a nice Georgian building which is a corridor away from Anna Livia room where the main event will be held.
This Hotel is in one of the most historical places in Dublin, The 1916 rising started at Liberty Hall just across the road, the custom house near there, is also a lovely building. Just five minutes away is O’Connell Street the main shopping centre in Dublin.
Part of the Hotel comprises of two huge late Georgian houses (1810) one of which was the residence of The Earl of Beresford. This building still retains some of its original interiors, it is a preserved building and the children’s competition will be held here.
The history of draughts in Dublin goes back to Victorian times, when prior to 1916 the old Dublin Draughts Club played in the Winter Garden restaurant. This was part of D.B.C. complex which was the centre of entertainment in Dublin’s O’Connell Street. Unfortunately this was completely destroyed in the fighting in 1916. The club then moved to the Capital Theatre restaurant which was rebuilt after 1916. This cinema and the Carlton was owned by Jim Fleming who played and promoted the game. He also commissioned four solid silver cups to the Four Provinces as perpetual Trophies for the game the last of them that can be traced is the Leinster trophy which is in the care of Paddy Doyle, (Dublin Champion). Dublin is one of the most historic cities in Europe with museums, libraries, theatres, and art galleries which are all within walking distance from the hotel. It is also one of the most famous literary cities in Europe and the home of Joyce, O’Casey, Beckett, Swift and many more including Bram Stoker the creator of Dracula.
So this is a great opportunity to see and learn about Irish history which is such a part of this city.
We have also agreed with management to hold the concession price for one week including the tournament period, this may be lengthened if the demand is sufficient from our members.
This would allow our friends and family to take a holiday, in particular our American friends who will have a long way to come and may need some extra time to look up their ancestors ( if they have any Irish roots). If there is sufficient response we could have a guided tour of the city free of charge, this would be unique and comprehensive and would bear no similarity to published tours.
Dublin is not particularly noted for its painters with one exception. Francis Bacon, his paintings now rank very highly at world auctions. For those that know his work, they may not be aware that his studio is in the Municipal art Gallery in Dublin, moved from London at his request after his death. This attracts a lot of visitors as does the Book of Kells, one of the most famous books in the world, which is believed to originate from the famous Monastery of Iona, the holy island off the west coast of Scotland.
We hope to see all our friends at our "Open" and renew old friendships and maybe some new ones too, all would be very welcome. The committee also bears in mind the economic downturn world – wide, which affects most people now.
But the game of Checkers/Draughts has seen it all before, and is still there, and will remain so as long
as it can renew the human spirit and challenge the values of a broken world.
So don’t delay now in booking, the flag is falling so make your move.

Joe McGuire - Chairman, Irish Draughts Association.

2014 International Tournament Dates