Hall of Fame

 

Past Irish Open Champions

Held each autumn, the Irish Open Backgammon Tournament is the highlight of the backgammon year on the island of Ireland. The contest is open to all comers and always attracts some top-class names, from both Ireland and the UK as well as further afield.

Do you think you can add your name to this list of past champions? Visit the events page and sign up for the next Irish Open now!

YearChampionNationality
2023Claudia GoehnertNetherlands
2022Sean CaseyIreland
2021John PlummerUK
2020Stuart MannUK
2019Jon BarnesUK
2018Simon JonesUK
2017Rune FarevaagNorway
2016Jonathan O'GradyIreland
2015Jamie DegabrieleMalta
2014Dave PritchardUK
2013Brian LeverUK
2012Paul O'KellyIreland
2011Viadas NovicenkoLithuania
2010Marc TurnerUK
2009Felix VinkNetherlands
2008Allen ChristiansenDenmark
2007Jacob AndersonDenmark
2006Brian BarberUSA
2005Adrian JonesUK
2004John SlatteryUK
2003Graham PowellUK
2002Jim JohnsonUK
2001Brian LeverUK
2000Sean CaseyIreland
1999Sean CaseyIreland
1998Peter OzanneUK
1997Tim CrossUK
1996Rick JanowskiUK
1995Paul TurnbullUK
1994Alan Lennox-SmithUK
1993Mike EllerbyUK

Irish National Championship - online (WBIF)

Held from June 1st each year, this tournament is a test of stamina and consistency for players. Participation is open to all players based in Ireland or Irish players living abroad. Registration open until 30th May each year. Click here for further details

YearWinnerPlace
2023Vaidas BudrysDublin
2022Darryl ArttBelfast
2021Ciaran TierneyDublin
2020Derek MurphyDublin

 In Memoriam

Dave Coyne Backgammon

Dave Coyne

1953 - 2006

Liz Perry

2014

Dama Cunningham

1958 - 2022

Dama was introduced to backgammon while holidaying in Greece. He brought his love for the game back to Ireland. He set up a club in Sandycove in the mid-2000s. The Dublin South Backgammon Club still meets regularly in Fitzgerald’s pub. Dama had a great way of making new people feel welcome and this was the secret to the club’s success. Dama directed the Irish Open from 2013 to 2019. He managed to revive interest in the tournament, both among local and overseas players. On a personal level, Dama continued to enjoy playing backgammon at home and on his yearly trips to Greece. He was particularly proud of the blue and white colours on his board, representing his birth county, Waterford. The backgammon community in Ireland is forever grateful to Dama for his great contribution to Irish backgammon.