Day 5 of the Irish Open was one for the purists; stellar croquet effortlessly delivered by a diverse collection of white-clad fashionistas. The sybaritic Simon Williams, very much a bassoon playing maestro, (and an alumnus of Trinity College Dublin just like Oscar Wilde, Danny Johnston and Bally'er's Joe Duffy) is already assured of his place in the pantheon of Irish croquet. How does one maintain motivation having already repeatedly plotted a successful course to the mountaintop ? We mere mortals may never know, yet our love and desire to spread the gospel of croquet is commensurate with that of a Born Again convertee, freshly dunked in the cooling waters of southern Alabama.

Click title to view Dave's full report on Day 5.

Photo Gallery 2020

Day 4 of the 2020 Irish Championships meant the commencement of the hotly anticipated Alternate Shot Doubles. A rare chance to watch the elite of Irish croquet (your Johnstons', your Williams') dovetail with the champions of tomorrow in the type of aesthetic croquet that leaves a pleasant aftertaste of ale and victory.

Click title to view Dave's full report on Day 4.

Photo Gallery 2020

Day 3 of the 2020 Irish Championships served forth a feast of Association Croquet. On lawn 1, the formidable father and son partnership of Frank and Christopher Martin procured a favourable 24-18 outcome agin the cherished Irish Times legend Myles McWeeney and his erstwhile partner Ryan Murphy. The double-banking duo of Sandy Greig and Nicola Kelly displayed both steel and strategic cunning in eliminating the inestimable Simon Williams and Patricia Burke despite some clever play by the latter. Click title to view Dave's full report on Day 3.

Photo Gallery 2020

The opening two days of the 2020 Irish Championships of Association Croquet have been akin to a starburst of celestial play from the brightest stars in the croquet firmament. The current pandemic has changed life considerably but a resolute crew of the game's staunchest supporters grabbed both mallet and the deis speisialta(special opportunity) to exhibit their talents on a befitting stage.
Outstanding lawns on Day 1, prepared by master agronomist Simon Williams, had some competitors dreaming of the afternoon's Wembley FA Cup centrepiece as the first balls departed A baulk and B baulk at the start of morning's play. 
Click the title to read Dave McGrath's full report.

Carrickmines C&LTC announce that they will be able to hold the Irish Croquet Championships between 1st and 8th August this year. Entries are now invited for this event.

The Re-Updated Entry Form is available for download here and shows the 9 Events to be played and the dates for them (note that as for last year the different events are timed for different days). Entry deadline is 26th July.

Due to the exigencies of the Covid 19 pandemic the annual match between CAI and CA has been cancelled and will be played in Dublin next year.

It is with deep sadness that I have to report the passing of Harry Johnston. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday 13th May 2020 in Eyrefield Manor Nursing Home, Greystones.

He was a great character in the world of Irish Croquet and was an Honorary Vice-President of the CAI. 

A CAI Women In Sport Sub-Committee Formation Invitation 2020 - to all women players

The CAI Council announces the formation of a 1st CAI Women In Sport all-women sub-committee and invites all women players interested to apply directly to WiS Lead nicola.kelly@ucd.ie for a place. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.

Dawson 2000 International    

€370.95 /set of 4 balls

Primary and Secondary Colours 

made by The Australian Croquet Co. 

Limited no. of sets available. 

Please contact 086 0488 444 to order

Due to the restrictions in place due to Covid-19, the Championships of Co Dublin and the Home Internationals this year have been cancelled.