Herbert Park Bowling Club

Bowls in Herbert Park

Memories of a Beginner 1946

Herbert Park has the distinction of housing the first Municipal Bowling Green in Dublin. The green was laid by the Dublin Corporation in beautiful surroundings and was officially opened on August 28th, 1944 with a game of six rinks in which a Bowling League of Ireland selection played a team from Belfast representing The Private Greens Bowling League. Control of the green was in the hands of the park’s superintendent who lived in a house in the park not far from the bowling green. An Attendant greenkeeper supplied bowls and rubber overshoes at a cost of one shilling per player per hour. Interest in the game was slow to develop and 1945 saw some activity from the local people of Ballsbridge and Donnybrook. Play was not organised. People just came along for a “Roll Up”