Dollymount, 1875… planning

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Written by: David Minshall

The Irish Rifle Association held their annual meeting in the Oak Room of the Mansion House, Dublin, on 3 March 1875. During the meeting it was resolved that the International American and Irish Rifle Match should be held on the 29th June at Dollymount, and that the All-Comers’ Match of association should be held on the three following days, subject to the approval of the Duke of Abercorn, as Captain of the “Irish Eight.”

John Rigby, who moved the resolution, said that they were desirous of fixing the date so that their American friends might have an opportunity of being present at the NRA(UK) annual rifle meeting at Wimbledon in July.

In the United States, matters regarding the forthcoming international rifle match were progressing. On 2 April 1875, the Joint Committee of the National Rifle Association and the Amateur Rifle Club, discussed arrangements for the forthcoming match and team selection. Major Leech, on behalf of the Irish riflemen had asked whether the Americans would admit of an English and Scottish team also to compete for the international championship. After some discussion it was agreed to decline the proposition.

In the UK the old targets with a square bull’s eye had, in 1874, been replaced with targets carrying a circular bull’s eye. It was the square targets that had been used in the Irish / American rifle match at Creedmoor in 1874. Major Leech had also proposed that the new circular targets be used for the competition, but the committee also declined this innovation on the previous year’s rules.

An address to the riflemen of America was adopted. This set out the programme of the international rifle match between the riflemen of the United States and the riflemen of Ireland. Rules regarding distances fired, the rifles, sights and ammunition, etc were confirmed. Four dates were published for competitions to be held at Creedmoor for team selection. “The nine competitors, including the members of the team of 1874, standing upon their scores, who show the highest aggregate in their four scores thus made, or upon which they stood as above provided, shall constitute the team of 1875.”

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