In the course of his address at the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland annual general meeting in the Templeogue Centre, Dublin, the outgoing president, Mr Michael O'Connor (western region), said bridge was one of the great recreational activities in Ireland. While researching the popularity of the hobby, he discovered that per capita, more people play the game in Ireland than in any other country in the world.
Bridge is one of the few games which can provide a challenge and enjoyment for people of all ages. During his year in office, he said, he saw a boy of 15 representing Ireland in an international match in Scotland and met a woman of 98 competing at the Kenmare congress.
He quoted from an essay by Somerset Maugham: "Bridge is the most diverting game that the wit of man has so far devised. I would have children taught it as a matter of course, just as they are taught dancing; in the end it will be more useful to them, for you cannot, with seemliness, continue to dance when you are bald and pot-bellied.
"Nor can you, with satisfaction to yourself or pleasure to your partner, continue to play tennis or golf when you are well past middle age. But you can play bridge so long as you can sit up at a table, and tell one card from another. When all else fails - sport, love, ambition - bridge remains a solace, and an entertainment."
Mr Seamus Dowling (Dublin south region) assumed the presidency in succession to Mr O'Connor. The north-western region nominated Ms Teresa McGrath as president-elect. Other honorary officers: Mr Joe Mo ran, vice-president; Mr M O'Connor, chairman; Ms Una Walsh, secretary; Ms Clare Pippet, treasurer; Mr Joe Bevan, auditor; general secretary: Mr Paul Porteous.
The membership of the association is 32,163, broken down regionally as follows: Dublin North, 3,883; Dublin south, 3,765; eastern, 4,631; north-eastern, 2,996; northern, 669; north-midland, 1,177; north Munster, 3,217; north-western, 1,480; south-eastern, 2,472; south-midland, 2,371; south Munster, 3,953; Western, 1,549.