Ruth Giddings
Ruth Giddings (born Wellwood 3 September 1911 – 20 November 2015) was an Irish bridge player. She had a long career that included winning 54 national titles, leading her to become one of the best Irish players of contract bridge of her time.
Biography[edit]
Giddings was born in Cork on 3 September 1911.[1] She graduated from Alexandra College and went on to work in Bank of Ireland.[1] She started playing contract bridge in her mid-thirties.[1] Giddings died 20 November 2015, aged 104.[2] The Irish Times called her "one of the greatest Irish players of all time."[3] According to the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, she was "Unquestionably Ireland's greatest woman player."[4] She is currently the most-capped Irish player of all time.[1]
Career[edit]
Giddings won 54 national titles starting in 1947 and eventually became a bridge grand master.[1] She played in 19 European, 6 World, 3 European Union, and 2 Home-International championships.[1] She won 5 European medals including 2 silver at Montreux in 1954 and Ostend in 1973.[1] She also won 3 bronze European medals in Dublin in 1952, Torquay in 1961 and Beirut in 1962.[1] She retired from international competition in 1981 when 70 years old but continued to compete in national events and won her last title in 1992.[1] At age 96, she won the president's prize, playing at the Regent.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dowling, Seamus (1 December 2015). "Bridge Notes". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 December 2019 – via Pressreader.
- ^ "Giddings, Ruth: Death Notice". Irish Times. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ a b Clingan, Willy (30 May 2009). "Game that bridges generations". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Ruth Giddings RIP". CBAI. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
Further reading[edit]
- Seamus Dowling (2009). Thank You, Partner: The History of Bridge in Ireland. Liberties Press. ISBN 978-1-905483-66-2.