History
Belfast Harlequins was formed in 1999 with the merger of Collegians and North of Ireland Cricket Club and North of Ireland FC. The former clubs were two of the oldest and most distinguished clubs in Ireland. North sold its famous ground at Ormeau, one of the earliest international rugby venues in Ireland to help finance the redevelopment of the Deramore Park facilities.
The club uses a version of the Maltese cross that Methodist College Belfast uses as its sports logo, with the colours being those of navy, sky blue, red and maroon. The North colours were traditionally red, blue and black, with Collegians using navy, white and maroon.
At two extraordinary general meetings held simultaneously in both North and Collegians, the members of both clubs voted to proceed with the merger to form the new club, Belfast Harlequins. As of 12.00 midnight, 18 November 1999, Belfast Harlequins came into existence. The first annual general meeting of the new club took place in March 2000. The new clubhouse at Deramore was opened in June 2002 by the then club president, Alison Watt, along with Jack Kyle OBE and Gilbert Paton.
On and off the field Belfast Harlequins have been successful. There is an active social scene, many parties and events take place throughout the season.
Deramore is located in the heart of south Belfast, flanked by the River Lagan and Lagan Meadows to the east and south, and overlooked to the north and west by large detached homes.
Deramore Park was the home to Collegians (and of Methodist College from 1919 until the school purchased Pirrie Park from Harland & Wolff in 1932). Deramore Park was bequested in trust for the use of the former pupils of Methody for its life by Mr C W Neill in 1941. A special board of trustees exists today in the name of C W Neill, and its consent was required for the merger in 1999, to allow the continued use of Deramore Park by the new club.
Deramore Park has one squash court, three rugby pitches, one synthetic hockey pitch, a two-bedroom apartment and one bowling green which Belfast Bowling Club owns and plays on.
In the summer of 2006, Belfast Harlequins hosted several sports in the Special Olympics Ireland Games. The games were held in Belfast for the first time in their history.
Deramore Park was a venue for the 2007 Under 19 Rugby World Championship, which was hosted in Belfast.
The Rugby Club field 4 Mens teams, a Ladies team an Under-20 team, an Under-19 team and an Under-16 team, who all play in their Respective leagues within the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The 1st XV currently play in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League.
The Belfast Harlequins RFC most successful season was in 2004-2005. They finished third in the league table and played at Landsdowne Road in Dublin in the end of season play-offs. They lost narrowly in the Final to Shannon.
The mission continues to not only remain Belfast's premier rugby club, but to become one of the best club sides in Ireland...........watch this space.
The club uses a version of the Maltese cross that Methodist College Belfast uses as its sports logo, with the colours being those of navy, sky blue, red and maroon. The North colours were traditionally red, blue and black, with Collegians using navy, white and maroon.
At two extraordinary general meetings held simultaneously in both North and Collegians, the members of both clubs voted to proceed with the merger to form the new club, Belfast Harlequins. As of 12.00 midnight, 18 November 1999, Belfast Harlequins came into existence. The first annual general meeting of the new club took place in March 2000. The new clubhouse at Deramore was opened in June 2002 by the then club president, Alison Watt, along with Jack Kyle OBE and Gilbert Paton.
On and off the field Belfast Harlequins have been successful. There is an active social scene, many parties and events take place throughout the season.
Deramore is located in the heart of south Belfast, flanked by the River Lagan and Lagan Meadows to the east and south, and overlooked to the north and west by large detached homes.
Deramore Park was the home to Collegians (and of Methodist College from 1919 until the school purchased Pirrie Park from Harland & Wolff in 1932). Deramore Park was bequested in trust for the use of the former pupils of Methody for its life by Mr C W Neill in 1941. A special board of trustees exists today in the name of C W Neill, and its consent was required for the merger in 1999, to allow the continued use of Deramore Park by the new club.
Deramore Park has one squash court, three rugby pitches, one synthetic hockey pitch, a two-bedroom apartment and one bowling green which Belfast Bowling Club owns and plays on.
In the summer of 2006, Belfast Harlequins hosted several sports in the Special Olympics Ireland Games. The games were held in Belfast for the first time in their history.
Deramore Park was a venue for the 2007 Under 19 Rugby World Championship, which was hosted in Belfast.
The Rugby Club field 4 Mens teams, a Ladies team an Under-20 team, an Under-19 team and an Under-16 team, who all play in their Respective leagues within the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The 1st XV currently play in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League.
The Belfast Harlequins RFC most successful season was in 2004-2005. They finished third in the league table and played at Landsdowne Road in Dublin in the end of season play-offs. They lost narrowly in the Final to Shannon.
The mission continues to not only remain Belfast's premier rugby club, but to become one of the best club sides in Ireland...........watch this space.
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