From the Uisneact Cup to the modern club, a look back at our roots.
Historic tournament image from 1903.
The original Athlone Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1885 and was first located in the Garden Vale area of the town on private grounds.
During its infancy, the club ran the Uisneact Cup Competition. The exclusivity of this early club is noted by its absence from the first editions of the Irish Lawn Tennis Handbooks.
It is uncertain if the original club dissolved entirely, but it was later replaced by the St Marys (Church of Ireland) LTC, previously known as the Garden Vale LTC, sometime before 1950.
A Westmeath Independent report from May 2nd, 1970, announced the formation of a new Tennis Club in Athlone at a meeting in the Royal Hotel, calling it a most welcome amenity for the town.
Elected Officers and Committee (1970):
President: Rev Fr Harte | Chairperson: Mr E Costello | Secretary: Miss Ida Symth | Treasurer: Mr E Kelly
*Committee members included Miss S Kelly, Mrs Mc Carthy, Mrs Keary, Mr Butler, Mr T Finn, Mr Kevin Connolly, Mr E Stanley, and Miss Mary Sweeney.*
Courts in Pairc Chiarain: Work commenced immediately on the first two courts in Pairc Chiarain, thanks to the enterprise of the GAA.
The journey continues with our move to the new centre in December 2023. The next chapter may soon be written!
*Source of information: The History of Irish Tennis, Volume 3, Page 1477 by Tom Higgins.*