Celebrating a Century of badminton in Mullingar

This year marks a proud milestone in Mullingar’s sporting history as Mullingar Badminton Club celebrates its centenary.

To mark the occasion, the club is hosting a major celebration on Friday September 5 in the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar. It promises to be a special night of memories, tributes, and reunions, as members past and present gather to honour one of the town’s longest-standing sporting institutions.

In preparation for the event, the club is appealing to the public for old photos, club notes, newspaper cuttings or any archive material relating to its history. A special collage is being compiled to showcase the club’s rich past on the night, and anyone with material is encouraged to get in touch with the club as soon as possible.

Founded in 1924 under the name Uisneach Badminton Club, the sport took hold in Mullingar during a time when the town’s role as a garrison exposed it to emerging global influences. By 1925, the club had found a home in St Mary’s Hall, where it would remain for the next 55 years.

The 1930s proved a successful period. Mullingar was recognised by The Irish Times for its contribution to Irish junior badminton, and in 1935 the club famously won the Provincial Towns Cup, with local player Joseph Shaw putting in a standout performance. Shaw went on to win the Irish Junior Men’s Singles title in 1937 and was runner-up in the senior competition.

In 1939, club members helped establish the Mullingar Town Tennis Club, which still operates from Austin Friars Street. Among the signatories on the original Land Registry Transfer Deed were Bernard Carty, local garda superintendent, and William Curran, a well-known publican and grocer, both heavily involved in the badminton club at the time.

In 1980, the badminton and tennis clubs officially amalgamated, forming what is now the Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club. The dedicated two-court badminton hall built after the merger remains the club’s home and base for over 100 active members.

The club’s centenary year is also an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of key individuals, none more so than Rose Cotter, who passed away earlier this year. Rose joined the club in the 1960s and remained a competitive and dedicated member right up until recent years, winning titles at both local and national level — including an All-Ireland in 2012 at the age of 70 and a South West Leinster title in 2020 with her grandson, Thomas.

Beyond her success on the court, Rose was a central figure in the club’s development, holding roles such as chair, treasurer, PRO, club trustee and membership officer. Her passion for junior development left a lasting legacy, and her commitment to Friday night training sessions helped lay the foundation for the club’s current crop of young talent.

Speaking about Rose, club chair Valerie Molloy said: “Rose was the epitome of a one-woman show, from getting the best price on feather shuttles to cheering on home games and mentoring players. We’ve been very lucky to have known her. She gave a lifetime of sterling service to the club and was a dear friend to many and a mentor to all.”

Mullingar Badminton Club continues to thrive, with members aged from their 20s to 70s, and strong participation in the Dublin, Meath and Midland leagues. Junior teams are now competing regularly in league and county competitions, with the club building on Rose’s ethos of inclusion, development, and pride in the sport.

“Interest in the sport is growing, helped by players like Maurice Looby, who had an outstanding year last season with six masters titles, and Olympians Rachel Darragh and Nhat Nguyen. Badminton really is a sport for life, and our club reflects that across generations,” explained Valerie Molloy.

The centenary celebration on September 5 is expected to be a major highlight in the local calendar. The club is calling on all past members, friends and supporters to join them on the night, and to share any archive material they may have to help piece together a visual history of this proud Westmeath sporting institution.

For more information or to submit historical items for the centenary display, contact Mullingar Badminton Club via social media or through club members directly.