Chess in Kilcullen and the Curragh
A generation back might remember that in the late 80s and early 90s there was a strong Community Games chess team coached by Charlie Talbot. The team included Barry Jordan (RIP), Leo Talbot, Colin Coyne, John Lambe, Patrick Dowling, Ronan Dunphy and myself. Most of the players then joined the Curragh Chess Club which had four teams playing in the Leinster Leagues at the time.
At present two of the junior group (Leo and myself) still play for the Curragh. Previous Kilcullen members in the club included Tom Bermingham and Hugh Peacocke amongst others.
I was also involved with the Curragh Junior Club for about five years when it ran in the Curragh Library and the Newbridge Gael Scoil (2011-2016).
The club has just moved premises to Suncroft Community Centre (just over 10 minutes from Kilcullen) and will be starting the Junior Club again on Thursday evenings from 6:30–7:30 with registration/introduction on 1 February.
The expected age group would be 10-16 years with good playing knowledge who may also be interested in competition. At present the Curragh have Teams in Divisions 1, 3 and 6 of the Leinster Leagues.
All coaches have been Garda vetted for the club and some games can be broadcast (with aliases and parent’s permission) on chessspectator.com which is run by James Forde, the club’s Junior Officer. The club’s Facebook page is CurraghChessClub if anyone has any questions.
(Pic courtesy of George Becker.)
