Portmarnock Golf Club’s defense for excluding women from full membership is that the equal status act interferes with its members’ right to freedom of association. This has been
upheld in the High Court. Note that the Irish Constitution (which I imagine would be the overriding legislation here) doesn’t actually grant an unfettered right to
freedom of association; it offers such freedom only so long as "public order and morality" are upheld. This little loophole is used by such acts as that which allows you to be arrested if you belong to an organisation such as the IRA. What I find interesting about the ruling, however, is that freedom of association is generally considered to be an
inclusive right; that is, it is your right
to belong to an organisation. It seems odd, and indeed an unintended use of the right, to construe it as your right not to allow others to associate with you.
I don’t think this one is over, either.