Dublin
Posted by stephen on October 23rd, 2006Clubs
There are two clubs currently active in Dublin. There is extensive crossover in membership between both clubs and the main difference is in the ambience of the venues, one being a typical Dublin pub and the other being modelled on an Asian tea room. Newcomers are welcome on any evening - there will always be someone who is happy to teach the rules of the game - and the majority of the players would be single-digit kyu level with one or two low dans and occasional stronger visitors. There is no charge for attending either club but you are expected to buy a drink or two by way of supporting our hosts.
The Tea Garden Go Club meets in the Tea Garden on Lower Ormond Quay on Monday nights (excluding bank holidays) from 8:30pm. There are two sets available for use there at any time - you can find them on the bookshelf in the entrance room. John Gibson is endeavouring to make this a combined Go and Xiangqi club and would doubtless be delighted to introduce you to Xiangqi while you’re there.
The longest-standing Go club in the country, Collegians Go Club meets in Larry Murphy’s on the corner of Baggot Street and Fitzwilliam Street. N.B. The club no longer meets in the Pembroke Inn. The club meets on Wednesday evenings from about 8:30 onwards.
Tournaments
In addition to the Irish Go Congress, there are occasional micro-tournaments, rapid-format events held over a single evening. The Becks Tournament was held over a series of evenings in 2006. Dublin also had the honour of hosting the 45th European Go Congress in 2001, which was attended by nearly 300 players, making it by far the largest tournament held on Irish soil.
