 The UCU's application to affiliate to FIDE was rebuffed.In September 2018 the UCU re-affiliated to the ICU.While chess in Ireland has been concentrated around the major cities of Dublin, Belfast and Cork, there are also a number of clubs throughout the country such as those in Ballinasloe, Derry, Drogheda, Ennis, Enniscorthy, Galway, Kilkenny, Portadown and Wicklow.