The Irish Open will be held October 24th - 28th, 2009 in Town House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare.

The Irish Open Draughts Tournament will be held at the Town House Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare from Saturday, 24.10.09, to Wednesday, 28.10.09. This is the same venue where the Kildare Open has been staged for the past three years. And the Irish Draughts Association is grateful to Bill Dobbins for obtaining the use of the Town House, which has proven popular with the players attending the Kildare Opens. The Association is also grateful to P.J. Furey for making a venue in Carlow available, even though the Town House was awarded the staging of the tournament. Con McCarrick is also due a word of thanks for his efforts to bring the Irish Open to Dundalk.

The Irish Open will be played in three sections. The Masters & Seniors will be played over ten rounds from the Saturday to Wednesday. The Intermediates will be played over eight rounds from the Saturday to Tuesday. The entry fees will be €40 for the Masters, €30 for the Seniors, and €25 for the Intermediates. There will be a draw to raise prize money for the tournament. It will involve selling a maximum of 100 tickets at €10 each. The first prize for the draw will be €300 and there will be two prizes of €100 each. It is anticipated that the prize fund at the Irish Open will be at least €1,500.

Bill Dobbins & Peadar Sweeney have agreed to act as Controllers for these Irish Championships. The best placed Irish based player will be nominated by the Irish Draughts Association as the Official Challenger for the Irish 3-Move Match Play Title. And, giving players further incentive to attend, there will be a party at the Town House Hotel on the Tuesday Evening for the players taking part in the tournament.

TIMETABLE
Saturday, 24.10.09: Entries 9.30 am. First Round 10 am. Second Round 3 pm. All Sections.
Sunday, 25.10.09: Third Round 10 am. Fourth Round 3 pm. All Sections.
Bank Holiday Monday, 26.10.09: Fifth Round 10 am. Sixth Round 3 pm. All Sections.
Tuesday, 27.10.09: Seventh Round 10 am. Eighth Round 3 pm. All Sections.
Wednesday, 28.10.09: Ninth Round 10 am. Tenth Round 3 pm. Masters & Seniors.

ACCOMMODATION
Town House Hotel: Single rooms are €60. €40 per person sharing.  (045)879226
Boreen B&B, Lusk: Single rooms are €50. €40 per person sharing.  (045)875282
Mill Lane House B&B: Single rooms are €50. €40 per person sharing.  (045)897257
Norcenni B&B: Single rooms are €50. €40 per person sharing.  (045)875014
Harbour Hotel: Tariff available on request.  (045)879145
Naas Court Hotel: Tariff available on request.  (045)866073
You can also contact Bill Dobbins  (087)4160745 & Peadar Sweeney  (086)3702387, who will be happy to assist with bookings, etc.

For more information please contact Sean Phillips at seanphil@gofree.indigo.ie.