Special classes commence August 1st..Come and give it a go!

St Bernard's Indoor Bowling Club

St Bernard's Indoor Bowling Club meets  on Monday and Wednesday Nights in St Bernard’s Hall @ 7.30pm during the Indoor Bowling Season (September to April).  We wish to issue an invitation to anyone (over the age of 16) to come along and “give it a go”.    Members will be on hand to lend bowls, give tuition and welcome all comers.  Special classes will be held during the month of August (starting Monday 1^st.) so why not come along.

About the club
During 1971 a group of people got together to discuss the possibility of forming a Bowling Club in the parish of St Mary’s-on-the-Hill.  The Club was opened on 20^th October 1971 and was originally based in St Bernard’s Primary School.

Thanks must be paid to the Committee and Members of St Mary’s Greencastle who willingly gave the loan of a Bowling Mat and bowls, until the club was in a financial position to purchase their own, and also for giving up their time to teach the original members the rudiments of the game.

Indoor Bowling is very much a cross-community activity which was in evidence when members of Mossley and Carnmoney Parish Bowling Clubs offered their help and encouragement by giving coaching lessons.

Friendly matches with local clubs – e.g. Hydepark, St Ninians as well as above mentioned Clubs - were also invaluable to the fledgling club in terms of Match Practice, knowledge of Rules, scoring procedures etc.    Members were encouraged to enter Tournaments, which again enhanced their knowledge and helped to make the Club known.

During the early years the Club was based in the Infant block of the primary school and this caused some hilarity and good natured bantering from visiting clubs - who were transported back to their childhoods – especially when seated around the small tables for the “tea-breaks”.    St Bernard’s have a much-valued reputation for friendliness, which has been nourished throughout the years by different generations of members.

The original membership totalled 16 made up mostly of women   but their enthusiasm encouraged other people to join, and within months all age groups from teenagers to senior citizens could be found on Monday and Wednesday nights talking a language of their own about “long jacks”, “Delivery stance” “Dead Bowls” etc.

It wasn’t long before the members decided to spread their wings and during 1972/73 season joined the East Antrim League to play competitive bowling.  Although the club finished the season at the bottom of the League, the encouragement and advice of the opposing players gave the players the boost to continue and during the 1973/74 season joined the Carrick & District League.

The club has had  successful experiences in various “Cup” competitions winning the Carrick Cup - in the first year of its’ history – as well as the Robert Wilson Cup.  Over the years they have been Runner Up in the Carrick and John Logan Cups.

« Left  Dermot (Cub Chairman) and Maeve Devine proudly display prizes won at the club tournament.

Individual members have also been successful in the National Championships - winning through their particular sections and going forward to meet players from all over Ireland at the Antrim Forum.  Players have also represented North Belfast at Inter Zone level.

The social aspect of the club has been fostered over the years, with Dinner Dances @ Prizegiving Nights, day trips to Ballycastle and Ayr, Bingo Teas and dances in St Bernard’s Minor Hall.  Also very successful weeklong trips to Donegal and Mayo have taken place over the last six years which has grown in strength with members and their friends eagerly anticipating the next “outing”.

Picture below are Club members & friends during recent trip to Ballina, Co  Mayo.

Although the club have moved premises to St Bernard’s Hall, the core membership has changed very little over the past 30 years with some of the members having been with the club since its’ inception.  Former members now live as far afield as Derry, Cork, and Dublin and some are now members of various neighbouring clubs.

Regrettably, but inevitably, over the years the club has suffered the loss of many good friends and members who will always be remembered.

We hope that in the future the ethos of the original committee and membership will be fostered & members will continue to create a friendly atmosphere where bowlers can enjoy the game of Short Mat Bowling and be as dedicated to improving the game in the interests of greater enjoyment for all.

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