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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!
Year | Champion | Nationality |
---|---|---|
2023 | Claudia Goehnert | Netherlands |
2022 | Sean Casey | Ireland |
2021 | John Plummer | UK |
2020 | Stuart Mann | UK |
2019 | Jon Barnes | UK |
2018 | Simon Jones | UK |
2017 | Rune Farevaag | Norway |
2016 | Jonathan O'Grady | Ireland |
2015 | Jamie Degabriele | Malta |
2014 | Dave Pritchard | UK |
2013 | Brian Lever | UK |
2012 | Paul O'Kelly | Ireland |
2011 | Viadas Novicenko | Lithuania |
2010 | Marc Turner | UK |
2009 | Felix Vink | Netherlands |
2008 | Allen Christiansen | Denmark |
2007 | Jacob Anderson | Denmark |
2006 | Brian Barber | USA |
2005 | Adrian Jones | UK |
2004 | John Slattery | UK |
2003 | Graham Powell | UK |
2002 | Jim Johnson | UK |
2001 | Brian Lever | UK |
2000 | Sean Casey | Ireland |
1999 | Sean Casey | Ireland |
1998 | Peter Ozanne | UK |
1997 | Tim Cross | UK |
1996 | Rick Janowski | UK |
1995 | Paul Turnbull | UK |
1994 | Alan Lennox-Smith | UK |
1993 | Mike Ellerby | UK |
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
Year | Winner | Place |
---|---|---|
2023 | Vaidas Budrys | Dublin |
2022 | Darryl Artt | Belfast |
2021 | Ciaran Tierney | Dublin |
2020 | Derek Murphy | Dublin |
In Memoriam
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.