Irish Real Tennis Association
Encyclopedia
The Irish Real Tennis Association (Cumann Leadóige na h-Éireann) encourages the preservation and development of the game and facilities of real tennis
in the Republic of Ireland
.
in 1609 with a court in Thomas Street, Dublin. Today there are no courts in Northern Ireland
and two courts in the Republic of Ireland, neither in playable condition. One is a peculiar open-air court on Lambay Island
, part of an Edwin Lutyens
designed estate for the Baring family. It is private property, in a fairly inaccessible location, and the lack of a roof is a practical problem given Ireland's climate.
The other court was built by Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh
in 1885 at his Earlsfort Terrace house (53°20′7.7"N 6°15′29.3"W), located a few minutes' walk from St. Stephen's Green
, Dublin. Constructed of a brick exterior with a black marble interior, the court saw Tom Pettitt
successfully defend his world championship against challenger Charles Saunders in 1890. Pettitt resigned the title later that year. In 1939, Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh presented his famed court to the nation as a gift. Despite his written wishes (not legally part of the bequest) that the court remain in use, it was immediately shut down, and internal playing features dismantled. The court has since been used by University College Dublin, first as a gymnasium and more recently as a laboratory and offices.
took an interest in the future of the structure. In 1998, after a plan was announced to permanently convert the court into a 320-seat music recital hall, these men joined their efforts and formed the Irish Real Tennis Association (IRTA). After recruiting members and finding support from the Dublin International Sports Council, An Taisce
, and the Irish Georgian Society
, the IRTA issued legal and public relations challenges to the proposed conversion. The challenges ranged from the local planning level to a High Court appeal. The IRTA lost every battle, but ended up winning the war, at least so far, as the government abandoned its planned project.
As of November 2007, the university has vacated the building, and the Office of Public Works is entering into discussions with the IRTA about restoring the court for an active real tennis venue.
The association has already made some steps in this direction. Beginning in 2003 they have annually held both an Irish National tournament and an Irish Open tournament, at real tennis clubs in England. The IRTA is also working to demonstrate to the government that they have the financial and membership support to undertake the estimated €750,000 historic restoration project. Individual membership is €15 (€30 family) and open to all interested in the promoting real tennis in Ireland.
matches held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club
, May 31 - June 1:
2004, handicapped matches held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club, May 1 - May 2:
2005, handicapped matches held at the Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club
(Holyport), May 28 - May 29:
2006, handicapped matches held at the Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club, May 27 - May 28:
2007, held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club, May 26 - May 27:
2008, handicapped matches held at the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club and Newmarket & Suffolk Real Tennis Club, May 31 - June 1
2009, handicapped matches held at the Middlesex University Real Tennis Club, May 30 - May 31
Real tennis
Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis , is descended...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Background
Tennis is first recorded in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1609 with a court in Thomas Street, Dublin. Today there are no courts in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and two courts in the Republic of Ireland, neither in playable condition. One is a peculiar open-air court on Lambay Island
Lambay Island
Lambay lies off the coast of Fingal / north County Dublin, Ireland in the Irish Sea. It is located north of Ireland's Eye at and is the easternmost point of the Republic of Ireland...
, part of an Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
designed estate for the Baring family. It is private property, in a fairly inaccessible location, and the lack of a roof is a practical problem given Ireland's climate.
The other court was built by Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh
Edward Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh
Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, KP, GCVO, FRS was an Irish philanthropist and businessman.-Public life:...
in 1885 at his Earlsfort Terrace house (53°20′7.7"N 6°15′29.3"W), located a few minutes' walk from St. Stephen's Green
St. Stephen's Green
St Stephen's Green is a city centre public park in Dublin, Ireland. The park is adjacent to one of Dublin's main shopping streets, Grafton Street, and to a shopping centre named for it, while on its surrounding streets are the offices of a number of public bodies and the city terminus of one of...
, Dublin. Constructed of a brick exterior with a black marble interior, the court saw Tom Pettitt
Tom Pettitt
Tom Pettitt was the real tennis world champion from 1885 to 1890.-Biography:Born in Beckenham, Kent, England, Pettitt emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts as a penniless teenager. He quickly rose from being the dressing-room boy at a private court on Buckingham Street, to being its head...
successfully defend his world championship against challenger Charles Saunders in 1890. Pettitt resigned the title later that year. In 1939, Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh presented his famed court to the nation as a gift. Despite his written wishes (not legally part of the bequest) that the court remain in use, it was immediately shut down, and internal playing features dismantled. The court has since been used by University College Dublin, first as a gymnasium and more recently as a laboratory and offices.
Saving the Dublin court
Since the late 1980s Michael Bolton and Ted Neville had monitored the Earlsfort Terrance court, and lobbied for its restoration when eventually vacated by the university. Additionally, Edward Hughes, former president of the United States Court Tennis AssociationUnited States Court Tennis Association
The United States Court Tennis Association is the governing body for the sport of real tennis in the United States. The first association president, William L. Van Alen, convened its initial meeting on January 30, 1955 at New York City's Racquet and Tennis Club. William F. McLaughlin Jr...
took an interest in the future of the structure. In 1998, after a plan was announced to permanently convert the court into a 320-seat music recital hall, these men joined their efforts and formed the Irish Real Tennis Association (IRTA). After recruiting members and finding support from the Dublin International Sports Council, An Taisce
An Taisce
An Taisce , also known as the National Trust for Ireland, was established in 1948 with a similar mission to that of the National Trust in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, and the Irish Georgian Society
Irish Georgian Society
The Irish Georgian Society aims to encourage an interest in and to promote the conservation of distinguished examples of architecture and the allied arts of all periods in Ireland...
, the IRTA issued legal and public relations challenges to the proposed conversion. The challenges ranged from the local planning level to a High Court appeal. The IRTA lost every battle, but ended up winning the war, at least so far, as the government abandoned its planned project.
As of November 2007, the university has vacated the building, and the Office of Public Works is entering into discussions with the IRTA about restoring the court for an active real tennis venue.
Future goals
The IRTA is hopeful that the government will allow them to restore the Dublin court. This would transition the association from a preservation focus, to an active public sporting club. Its mission would be twofold: management of the tennis court; and functioning as the national governing body for real tennis.The association has already made some steps in this direction. Beginning in 2003 they have annually held both an Irish National tournament and an Irish Open tournament, at real tennis clubs in England. The IRTA is also working to demonstrate to the government that they have the financial and membership support to undertake the estimated €750,000 historic restoration project. Individual membership is €15 (€30 family) and open to all interested in the promoting real tennis in Ireland.
Tournaments
2003, handicappedHandicapping
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated...
matches held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club
Bristol and Bath Tennis Club
The Bristol and Bath Tennis Club was founded in 1985 by a small group of enthusiasts with the aim of providing a real tennis facility for people in Bristol, Bath, and adjacent areas in the southwest of England....
, May 31 - June 1:
- Irish national champion, Michael Bolton (IRTA)
- Irish open champion, Brian Rich (Royal Tennis Court)
2004, handicapped matches held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club, May 1 - May 2:
- Irish national champion, Alastair Mackeown (Queen's ClubQueen's ClubThe Queen's Club is a private sporting club in West Kensington, London, England. Founded in 1886, the Queen's Club was the world's first multipurpose sports complex and named after Queen Victoria, its first patron...
) - Irish open champion, Nick Ponsford (Bristol & Bath)
2005, handicapped matches held at the Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club
Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club
The Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club operates the real tennis court at Holyport, Berkshire, England.The court was built in 1889 by Sam Heilbut as part of his Holyport estate. For years Holyport was owned by the Martineau family, and a real tennis club was formed in 1953. When the last...
(Holyport), May 28 - May 29:
- Irish national champion, Roland Budd (IRTA)
- Irish open champion, Tim Church (Queen's)
2006, handicapped matches held at the Royal County of Berkshire Real Tennis Club, May 27 - May 28:
- Irish national champion, Roland Budd (IRTA)
- Irish open champion, Jim Duncan (Holyport)
2007, held at the Bristol and Bath Tennis Club, May 26 - May 27:
- Irish national champion (singles matches, played level), Roland Budd (IRTA)
- Irish open champions (doubles matches, played handicapped), Roland Budd (IRTA) and Karlis Zauers (IRTA)
2008, handicapped matches held at the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club and Newmarket & Suffolk Real Tennis Club, May 31 - June 1
- Irish national champion, Roland Budd (IRTA)
- Irish open champion, Mark Heffernan
2009, handicapped matches held at the Middlesex University Real Tennis Club, May 30 - May 31
- Irish national champion, Stuart Baxter
- Irish open champion, Mark Heffernan