LONDON IRISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION (L.I.B.A.)

Introducing L.I.B.A.

The purpose of this web site is to record the history of the Association and to act as a communications channel to its members.  However, it is hoped that others will find its content interesting.

The London Irish Bowling Association, which was originally known as the London Irish Bowls Club, was created largely by the efforts of one John Shea who visited a number of London Bowling Clubs in 1955, to recruit Irish bowlers and those with a Irish name or connection.  He was given great support by the Guinness Club in many ways, not least by offering the use of the Guinness Club's facilities on match days.  By March 1956 there were 40 founding members who agreed that the Club should become an Association.  Hence, the birth of the London Irish Bowling Association.  The first President was C. E. Guinness whose earlier encouragement had been so instrumental in the successful creation of the Association.

In the early days, the Association had a considerable battle to survive because it was unknown and the Associations and Clubs with whom it wished to establish relationships had full fixture lists.  The big breakthrough came with the establishment of the Miniature International in 1961.  This came about because of a casual conversation  between the then President (C. E. Guinness) and a member of the London Welsh.  The result was an annual outdoor competition between the London Welsh, Scottish, Irish and an appropriate team which could be 'dubbed'  the London English, who play for the Edward Guinness Trophy, and since 1978 an indoor Miniature International has also been played.  Since 1961 the Association has gone from strength to strength and now has a membership of 320, and a waiting list of Clubs who wish to have an annual fixture. For a fuller history of the Association click here. (Double click on the picture to enlarege it)

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