The club in its present session -for there was a Rifle Club in College in
pre-war days -was founded in Janurary 1962 by P .G.L. Coulson (who went
"on to become its first Captain), M.C.C. Heaton (first Secretary) and C.R.
Oakley (first Treasurer).
In its first year the club had over 50 members -which is no mean
achievement given that it had as yet no range and virtually no equipment.
The first record of anyone shooting was the team sent to Bisley in July
1962 -of course it was fullbore they went to shoot. Indeed it was full.bore
the club concentrated on for its infant years. As there was no fullbore
shooting in Eire -and there still isn't -Blsley was the best opportunity
not to mention the most prestigeous. Attempts were made to try and
establish .fullbore shooting in the Republic, but these failed, due to lack of
support from the military authorities.
The first Treasurers report in Janurary 1963 showed a net balance of
£2-9-0. In the summer of '63 a team was selected (by the then selection
committee of Captain and Secretary) to compete in the Bisley inter -
University competition. From its outset the club awarded colours 3 in its
first year and 6 in its second. Initially they were awarded for selection for
the "first IV in the inter -University matches.
Getting the club started as I'm sure most of the present committee
and Range Officers will appreciate took a lot of time and dedication. So
much so in fact that P .G.L.Coulson (a founder member) "failed to satisfy
the examiners and consequently had to leave College."
Amongst the first matches shot in Ireland were shoulder to shoulder
against Queens University Belfast. These took place annually for many
years.
The first Chief Range Officer was appointed in 1964, the post was
held by M.C.C.Heaton. Our first Range was approoved by the College Board
for the Lincoln gate end of College in May 1964 and by October of that year
the C.R.O. reported it operational. The first club lisence was in the name of
the Chief Steward. Ammunition in 1964 cost 11 \6 per 1000, this was
regarded as verry expensive. By this time the club began affiliating to
organisations such as the N.S.R.A. the U.S.R.A. and the N.I.R.A.
Initially the new three firing point range was used on weekdays from
7 until 10 p.m. and a new Constitution was drawn up for the .22 shooting
which went on there. The cost of this range was £200.
The first Vice President was Colonel Walsh -the College Agent -he
assumed office in November 1964. The club was not to appoint a President
for many years.
The initial annual membership fee was £5 p.a. and affiliation to
D.U.C.A.C. was completed by November '64, the club still awaited the
sanctioning by the Gardai of the range for use. This was to be granted in
Janurary 1965 and so two years after the foundation the first shot was
fired on Trinity soil.
The first club tie was designed in 1964, consisting of light blue harps
and crossed rifles on a dark blue background; only those who shot for
a club team were entitled to wear one.
Soon after the opening of the range one of the first ammendments to
the club rules was one to prohibit smoking. Apparently all was not smooth
sailing at that time as is evidenced by a motion of Februrary '65 calling on
the Captain at that time to "display more interest and leadership in the
activities of the club than he had to date." The Captain offered his
resignation which was withdrawn once the committee did likewise with
the motion.
By this time the club through the Chief Steward had become registered
firearms dealers. In the early days the Captain was rlot eligible for
re-election but if he was to remain in College would be an ex-officio
member of the following year's committee.
At the 1965 A.G.M. M.C.C.Heaton a founder member of the club and its