Female membership of Portmarnock Golf Club moved a step closer today after Dublin District Court ruled the club was in breach of equality legislation.
The Equality Authority took the case last November, claiming the men-only policy was discriminatory under the Equal Status Act 2000.
The club maintained that as a private organisation it was entitled to decide it own membership policy.
Women are allowed play at Portmarnock but cannot hold full membership and can only use the course at specified times.
But today Judge Mary Collins found in favour of the Equality Authority. However, a High Court case challenging the constitutionality of the Equal Status Act is still pending.
Counsel for the Equality Authority wanted the club to lose its certificate of registration, preventing it from selling alcohol for 30 days, but Judge Collins declined to levy any sanction.
The club had argued the Act did not prohibit its membership policy and only referred to discrimination against people who were already members.
Progressive Democrats TD Ms Fiona O'Malley said the ruling was "welcome legal confirmation that
Portmarnock is actively discriminating against women".
She said it would have implications for other golf clubs that discriminate or "deliberately" obstruct female membership.