'I've made so many friends here': A visit to Cork bridge club at heart of local community

For 15 years, the ladies and gents have been showing off their card skills in the town of Macroom.

At the helm is Mary Neville. It was her idea to start up this group.

As an avid bridge player for years, she was travelling to Shanagarry to play, which she said, became too much of an undertaking. So, she took it upon herself to set up a club in her locality. To this day, she gives as much energy and dedication to her passion as she did on day one.

At the newly refurbished Briery Gap Theatre and Library, the card players meet every Tuesday morning for two hours, which they say, flies by. But, this isn’t their only meeting.

They also have a card playing session at Ryan’s Hall in the town on Thursday mornings, one at the GAA hall and at the Castle Hotel on Wednesday nights which could see several dozen eager players in attendance. There are no less than four bridge clubs in Macroom!

Mary sets up the boards and the cards and distributes them to the tables of players. Tuesday morning is their quietest session and they have on average three or four tables.

The majority of the players are retired, and the majority are women. There are a few men but it is mostly ladies that play.

So, is the game difficult? I watched for an hour and couldn’t figure it out. Hardly surprising when it is recommended you take lessons before you join. There are beginners, novices, intermediates, advanced and so on right up to master and international master (better known as the sharks!).

There are players here that have been at this for years and say they are still learning. Private lessons are available by those who have completed the teaching course.

The game might be called a first cousin of whist, where skill is also needed in abundance, but in bridge, the aim is not just to get as many tricks as possible, but for a partnership to successfully predict how many tricks they can take. There are competitions with cash prizes both locally and nationally throughout the course of the year and Macroom boasts several top players.

The game begins and a silence descends as cards are placed on the table. They watch each other as a hawk would with its prey. They choose carefully and methodically and make eye contact with their partner across from them. I don’t see any winks or strange hand signals but that’s not to say they aren’t there!

Do they advertise? No, it’s word of mouth, and word has most certainly gotten around. They have new members joining regularly, even new members who have moved to the area that have been playing for years elsewhere.

Is there a charge? There is a small fee to cover the cost of the score cards.

So, what do they get out of this club? Friendship, a giggle, a chance to forget everything and just concentrate on the hand you’ve been dealt. It’s a way to keep your mind sharp, the ladies tell me. It’s a good reason to get out of the house and mingle with others.

One lady says it is wonderful for mental health as you have fun and play the game you love.

“My family no longer have to keep an eye on me as much as I’m rarely at home, so it takes the pressure off them thinking they have to be checking on me,” one player says.

Is there another social aspect to the club? Yes, they regularly go to lunch, or a few will get a cup of coffee after the game and have a proper catch-up.

“I would have passed by these ladies before and just nodded a hello, but now we stop and chat on the street. I’ve made so many friends through this club,” another added.

As for fun? Between games there is lots of laughing.

One lady says that there are some women you will never figure out. Their poker faces are second to none!

“Some of us are widows and would be stuck at home if it wasn’t for bridge. You have to make the effort to get out, and you’re always glad when you do.”

• There are bridge clubs all over the city, like the one in the SMA centre in Wilton, Cork Bridge club on Patrick’s Quay and Mills Bridge club in Douglas, and in the county.
• See https://www.cbai.ie/