One of Ireland's most prestigious golf clubs has won a legal bid to refuse women full membership.
The exclusive Portmarnock Golf Club in north Co Dublin went before Dublin's Supreme Court as Irish equality chiefs made a final attempt to get the club to change its rules.
Women can play at the course and pay green fees, but are not allowed to become full members.
Three of five judges who heard the case dismissed the challenge and ruled Portmarnock was a gentlemen's club where golf was played.
'Discrimination'
Outside the court Joanna McMinn, of the Equality and Rights Alliance, called for equality legislation to be changed and updated.
She said the result was a bad day for equality and a bad day for women.
"It sends out a message that discrimination continues and this judgment upholds inequality for women," said Ms McMinn.
"The exclusivity of Portmarnock is just a symptom of that."
The action was aimed at overturning a High Court ruling made three years ago which backed the club's regulations.
The golf club had also had its alcohol licence suspended for a week in 2004 for refusing to accept female members.
During the Supreme Court hearing last December a barrister for Portmarnock Golf Club argued that while the activity of the club was golf, its purpose was to cater for men only and on this basis it refused membership to women.
© Press Association