PICTURES | Over one hundred people enjoy Longford Bridge Centre 10th anniversary celebrations in Connolly Barracks

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Longford Bridge Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary in Connolly Barracks on Sunday, August 27.

There were two competitions run simultaneously, a “hard and fast” for the more serious player and a “free and easy” for the more fun and relaxed players. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Over 100 people turned up and there was a lovely friendly atmosphere in both rooms, and some great hands of bridge played by all. It was lovely to see some members that we hadn’t seen since covid came to join us.

The event concluded with a lovely meal and a few brinks! (sorry drinks hic !!) and a nice chance for everyone to relax in each other’s company.

The winners of the “hard and fast” section were Margaret Gillen & John Kiernan who received a lovely piece of carved bog oak that had been gifted by the Glennon family (originally won by their dad Eamon in 2001).

In the “free and easy” section Frankie Duignan & Dorothy Reynolds O’Connor were the winners in North/ South and Ann Chapman & Maura Keenan winners in East/West. In keeping with the fun element both were appropriately presented with a large Toblerone.

Over €1,000 were given out in cash prizes on the night. Congratulations to all the winners.

Longford Bridge Centre is made up of four clubs and bridge is played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights.

While all clubs had been playing separately for decades, ten years ago they formed the bridge centre in Connolly Barracks, and have a fantastic set up for playing bridge. The facility is disabled friendly and parking right outside the door. It costs €5 a night to play from 7.30pm to 10.30pm so great value. It is open to anyone who would like to play bridge.

Bridge lessons and classes for beginners will start in September on Thursday nights at a cost of €10 per night. If you are interested in learning bridge please email bridgelongford@gmail.com or call 086 2649604 by September 20. You don’t need a partner for the lessons.

Bridge is open to everyone, and although it is perceived as an older person's game it is actually a game for all ages and the younger you start the better.

It has all the elements of a great game, strategy, skill, judgement and memory but is also a very social night out.

Results of the 10th Anniversary competitions
Hard and Fast
1st Margaret Gillen & John Kiernan
2nd Mary & Vincent Brennan
3rd Una Flynn & Olive Kilbane

Free and Easy
N/S 1st Frankie Duignan & Dorothy Reynolds O’Connor
N/S 2nd Matt & Helen O’Brien
N/S 3rd Mary Gaffney & Veronica Jones
E/W 1st Ann Chapman & Maura Keenan
E/W 2nd Anne Fingleton & Angela McGrath
E/W 3rd Bernice Gorman & Geraldine Timblin