Irish Draughts Association Newsletter January 2024
EDITORIAL
This issue of the I.D.A. Newsletter is concentrating on the forthcoming Draughts tournaments for 2024. As you can see, there are almost as many tournaments as there are players. In order to send early word on the events for 2024, I am including all the information that is to hand. A look back at previous tournaments will be left to future issues of the newsletter. Finally, but not least, I would like to wish Bill Dobbins a speedy recovery. My e-mail address is johnphil187@gmail.com for items that you may wish to contribute to the Newsletter.
Seán Phillips
2024 KILDARE OPEN
The Kildare Open will be held at the Town House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare on Saturday, 24.2.24 and Sunday, 25.2.24. Two Scottish players have indicated that they will be taking part in the tournament, including Graham Young, who will be the Controller for the event. All sections will be played over five rounds using the 3-Move restriction openings.
Contact Information: IDA Secretary, Seán Phillips ( (087)2529534.
Accommodation: Town House Hotel ( (045)879226. The Town House Hotel is offering single rooms for €110 per night, including breakfast. And it is offering double rooms for €140 per night, including breakfast, i.e. €70 per person. Players are advised to explain that they are booking their accommodation for the Draughts tournament, when contacting the Town House Hotel, in order to avail of this offer.
Other Accommodation: Harbour View Hotel ( (045)879145.
Tournament Details: Registration of entries will begin at 9.30 am on the Saturday, and the games will begin at 10am. The time control will be 90 minutes per player to play both games in a round. I.E. each round will take less than 3 hours. Prizes will be given to the players who finish in the top places in the Masters, Senior, and Intermediate sections.
Entry Fees: Masters Section €30. Senior Section €25. Intermediate Section €20.
Colin Young Memorial Cup: There will be a cup presented at the Kildare Open in honour of Colin Young, who was a great supporter of the Kildare Open. It will be awarded to the Irish player, who finishes highest in the Masters Section, other than the player that wins the Kildare Open.
Children’s Tournament: There will be a children’s tournament on the Sunday, which will be held at the same venue. Entries will be taken from 10.30 am, and games will get under way at 11am. There will be prizes for different age groups. A prize fund of €250 has been put in place for this children’s tournament.
Francis McNally Memorial Tournament (incorporating The Northern Ireland Open)
Some details confirmed from Declan McNally for the Francis McNally 3-Move tournament event.
Venue: Kinturk Culture Centre, which has been booked from Thursday, 4.4.24, to Saturday, 6.4.24.
Accommodation: Rooms are reserved in the Belfast House B&B and the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, with a discount rate when players say that it is for the Draughts. These rooms have to be booked as soon as possible as it is Easter Week, and is a busy time of the year.
Greenvale Hotel, ( (028)(867)62243, Single Room £75, Double Room £120, Twin Room £125, Breakfast included.
Belfast House B&B, Cookstown, ( (028)(867)69759 (JJ manager), Double Rooms x 2, Twin Rooms x 5, Triple Room x 1, Breakfast included, £40 per person per night.
Transportation: A shuttle bus will be provided by the organisers to take the players to and from their accommodation to the Kinturk Culture Centre. Contact Declan McNally, ( 07864266163.
Special Trophy: A cup has been ordered for this event in honour of Francis McNally.
INISHOWEN OPEN (Tony McAleer Memorial)
The Inishowen Open will be held at the Trawlerman in Moville, Co. Donegal on Saturday, 27.4.24, and Sunday, 28.4.24. It will be a five round 3-Move competition.
Contact Details: Seán McCauley ( (074)9385235 or (00353)(74)9385235 from outside Republic of Ireland. Mobile phone (086)8704410.
Accommodation:
Barron’s, Main Street, Moville. ( (074)9382472 or (00353)(74)9382472 from outside Republic of Ireland.
The Cosy Cottage, Bath Terrace, Moville. ( (074)9385740 or (00353)(74)9385740 from outside Republic of Ireland. €80 single room. €45 sharing.
Riverbank House B&B. ( (074)9382174 or (00353)(74)9382174 from outside Republic of Ireland. Mobile phone (086)1621358.
Admiralty House, 10 minute walk from the venue. ( (074)9382529 or (00353)(74)9382529.
Corner House. Mobile phone (087)7485900 or (00353)(87)7485900 from outside Republic of Ireland. Accommodation does not include breakfast.
Barr’s B&B and Shepherds Hut. ( (074)9382527 or (00353)(74)9382527 from outside Republic of Ireland. Self-catering accommodation.
SAMMY COHEN GAYP
This two day freestyle tournament will be held over a weekend during June 2024 in Warrington, Lancashire, England. Contact: Donald Oliphant (0044)(7917)132789.
2024 BRITISH OPEN
The British Open will be held over ten rounds (3-Move) from Monday, 16 September 2024, to Friday, 20 September 2024.
WORLD 3-Move QUALIFIERS
The World 3-Move Qualifiers will be held from Tuesday, 24.9.24, to Friday, 27.9.24. This tournament is played to find Official Challengers to the Men’s & Women’s 3-Move World Matchplay Champions. There will also be a section at this event where players will compete for the World Youths GAYP title.
2024 IRISH OPEN
The Irish Open will be held over eight 3-Move rounds at the Trawlerman Bar in Moville, Co. Donegal from Saturday, 26 October 2024, to Bank Holiday Monday, 28 October 2024. There will be Masters, Senior & Intermediate sections.
Contact Details: Local Organiser, Seán McCauley ( (074)9385235 or (00353)(74)9385235 from outside Republic of Ireland. Mobile phone (086)8704410. You can also contact Seán Phillips, “Suí Finn”, Cullinagh, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 NY61. ( (087)2529534 or (00353)(87)2529534 from outside Republic of Ireland. johnphil187@gmail.com
Accommodation: Please see details above in respect of the Inishowen Open.
EAST of SCOTLAND
The East of Scotland 3-Move tournament will be held over eight rounds from Friday, 15.11.24, to Sunday, 17.11.24. This is the most sociable of all the Draughts competitions.
Venue: Moyness Guest House, 6 Bruce Gardens, Inverness, IV3 5EN.
Contact Details: Donald Oliphant ( (0044)(7917)132789.
CONTACT INFORMATION for the I.D.A.
Secretary: Seán Phillips, “Suí Finn”, Cullinagh, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 NY61. johnphil187@gmail.com ( (087)2529534 or (00353)(87)2529534 from outside RoI.
Chairman: Joe Maguire. Treasurer: Seán McCauley. President: Graham Young.