The Irish Division of the Caravan Club had its origins away back in 1940 when a group of people held a series of meetings in the Central Hotel, Dublin. From these meetings the Centre for Ireland was formed on 21st November 1940. Mr W S Keating was elected Chairman and Mr J Irvine Hon Sec.
The first recorded outing was a trip to Shanganagh Castle, Co Dublin on 31st August 1941. It was attended by sixty people from all over Ireland. Their entertainment consisted of a Scavenger Hunt and a Children’s Sports. The day was rounded off with a dinner and informal dance.
In January 1947 the Executive Committee in London granted Divisional status to Ireland. In the absence of a constitution it was agreed to adopt the title Irish Division at a Special General Meeting held in May 1947 but to carry on business under centre rules.At the 1954 AGM of the Irish Division and with centres then formed and operating in Ulster, Munster and Leinster the committee of the Irish Division was instructed to prepare a draft constitution.
The First Irish Division National Rally comprising of all three centres was held at Rostrevor in 1955.The Irish Division Council is composed of three representatives of each of the three Centres – Leinster, Ulster and Munster.The Council meets five times per year and its chairmanship rotates between the Centres, as does the hosting of the National Rally.
PAST CHAIRMEN OF THE IRISH DIVISION
1947-54 W S Keating
Leinster
1973 S Ashmore
Ulster
1991 W Wilson
Ulster
1955 R J Wylie
Ulster
1974 D Milne
Munster
1992 P McNamara
Munster
1956 J Levis
Munster
1975 P Corcoran
Leinster
1993 C Dunne
Leinster
1957 W Duff
Ulster
1976 W Hill
Ulster
1994 C A Broadbent
Ulster
1958 J Doyle
Munster
1977 G H Colton
Munster
1995 C A Broadbent
Ulster
1959 J Rowntree
Leinster
1978 A Cronhelm
Munster
1996 G Davies
Munster
1960 Capt.McCune-Reid
Ulster
1979 W Gamble
Leinster
1997 P Blake
Leinster
1961 H Harte-Barry
Munster
1980 J Power
Ulster
1998 S Turner
Ulster
1962 J Rowntree
Leinster
1981 T G Livingston
Munster
1999 S Kennefick
Munster
1963 J Simpson
Ulster
1982 J Rutledge
Leinster
2000 G Sheehy
Leinster
1964 F Fullen
Munster
1983 Mrs E Lynch
Ulster
2001 D N Bryce
Ulster
1965 W Walsh
Leinster
1984 K MacSwiney
Munster
2002 P Cahill
Munster
1966 G Wright
Ulster
1985 J Pearson
Leinster
2003 J Batten
Leinster
1967 D Milne
Munster
1986 J Kearney
Ulster
2004 R Moloney
Ulster
1968-69 W Walsh
Leinster
1987 N Thompson
Munster
2005 P Spillane
Munster
1970 S Hopkins
Ulster
1988 W H Martin
Leinster
2006 R Condell
Leinster
1971 D Milne
Munster
1989 T Lane
Ulster
2007 R G McGarry
Ulster
1972 H Warren
Leinster
1990 K Hilton
Munster Leinster Ulster Munster
2008 Mrs M Carroll 2009 C Dunne 2010 N K Stevenson 2011 P Cahill