Ballinasloe Bridge Club History 

Bridge has been played in Ballinasloe since at least the early 1900's. Rubber Bridge was the preferred game and it was played in the Social Club and in Hayden's Hotel. The first Contract Bridge Club was formed in the town in 1937 and the members played in a house in Mount Pleasant. The next venue was Kirwan's Pub in Dunlo Street. The Ballinasloe Social Centre was opened in 1961 and shortly afterwards Ballinasloe Contact Bridge Club leased a room there where they played on Tuesday nights.

In 1970 a second Bridge Club was founded. It was named the 70's Club. They shared the venue in the Social Centre with the other club and played on Wednesday nights. In 1990 the Contract Bridge Club moved to the Social Services Centre in Brackernagh while the 70's Club continued to play in the regular venue.

For a number of years the members of both clubs had considered getting a premises of their own and an opportunity arose in 1995. Two large rooms became available at Barrett's Builders Providers on Sarsfield Road. The rooms were duly purchased. The two clubs amalgamated and the new club was named "Ballinasloe Bridge Club". The members moved into their new premises in 1996 where bridge is played three nights per week in winter and two nights weekly during the summer.

 

Bridge is played at 8.00pm every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evening throughout the year, and beginners and refreshers classes are held every Monday evening for most of the year except in the summer months.