After 136 years, Royal Dublin Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Dublin and one of the oldest in Ireland, have revealed that they will finally accept new members from "all genders".
While the club did not previously ban women from becoming members, its membership has only consisted of men since 1885. They will become the last of the remaining male-only golf clubs in Ireland to amend their constitution to accept female members.
In a statement released, Royal Dublin Golf Club said, ""All genders are equally valued within the membership without discrimination and enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all membership categories and the opportunity to apply for membership, when open , is available to all genders."
Located in Bull Island, the golf club has staged six Irish Opens but has not hosted one since 1985. and has now adopted the Golf Ireland principles of gender equality as part of a reform of its constitution.
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly said; "We welcome the news coming from Royal Dublin today, that confirms the club’s adoption of the Golf Ireland governance principles.
"The club’s commitment to gender equality stating 'all genders are equally valued within the membership’ is a very positive development. We look forward to seeing both men and women take the opportunity to apply for membership in the future."
In May earlier this year, Portmarnock Golf Club in north county Dublin also eradicated its men-only membership policy. Prior to a vote, their constitution read; the club shall consist of members and associate members who shall be gentlemen properly elected and who shall conform with the rules of amateur status”.
