The Galway Rowing Club takes on The Charles

By:Brian Donohue

The Galway Rowing Club have published a book chronicling the 100 year history of the club. To order this great Christmas gift, visit www.grc100yrs.co.cc.

Ann and John Ford, Ann Gannon-McDonagh, Ruth Kenney-Ford and Jim Kenney

David O'Connor, Phil Tafft, Keath Greallish, Robbie Donovan, Aidan Fallon & Phil Kelliher

Doireann Mac Loughlin, Clare Mulhern, Catherine Rabbitt, Lillie Broderick, Daiden O'Regan, Lorna Kennedy, Jane Foley

Galway Supporters Enjoying the Regatta

John Ford (Galway Rowing Club PRO), Ollie Melvin (who is pictured on the cover of the book), Tom Sullivan, Cyril Dooley, Jim O'Halloran, Paddy Lalley (club president), and Fergal Diviney

Thomas Curley, Dan Hehir, Colin McLihinney,Robbie Curley, Shane O'Connor, Fergal Barry.

The Galway Rowing Club celebrated their 100 year anniversary by competing in the “Head of the Charles” Regatta, the world's largest two-day rowing event. Over the past 45 years, the regatta has grown tremendously. Today, more than 7,500 athletes from around the world compete in 55 different race events. The race attracts 300,000 spectators during the October weekend.

Competitive rowing had been taking place on the Corrib River in Co. Galway for a number of years, when the Ancient Order of Hibernians decided to form a new club in 1910.The club is still referred to as “The Hibs”. and through volunteer effort, they were able to build a wooden clubhouse on the site of the present Galway Rowing Club. It was tarred each year up until 1970 in order to preserve the wood, and so it became known as “The Blackening Box.”

The club was fairly successful since its inception however, like most organizations, it experienced its ups and downs. Things improved in the 1940's when the club produced some very strong women’s crews and the men won a number of national championships.

 In 1948 the club made its big breakthrough onto the Irish rowing scene, winning its first IARU Championship by clinching the men’s Maiden Eights in Athlone, Co. Westmeath defeating Trinity College.

The club had continuing success throughout more recent years in competitive racing; however there is also an important and strong social element to the club. Members stressed that, rowing is at the core of their activities, however an important aspect of the club are the dances, card games, lectures, concerts, etc. It is much more than just a rowing club, they have a great deal of longstanding traditions that members take deep pride in.

There are about 70 individuals traveling with the Galway Rowing Club, including coaches, and athletes, from the men’s and ladies sides, and family. After landing in Boston for the regatte, there was a welcoming reception which took place at The Green briar Pub in Brighton, on October 13. For many of the athletes this was their first trip to the States. Some said they felt slightly overwhelmed upon their arrival but member Dan Hehir pointed out that "the hospitality in Boston in great, it’s nice to be so far from home, but feel so welcome."

The athletes were not spending their week just sightseeing, with training sessions throughout the week a priority. The sessions were not in vain, with strong showings from the athletes in the Men's Intermediate Eight, the Ladies Intermediate Eight, as well as the Senior Double Skull events.

The Galway Rowing Club has a long and proud history and in order to document it, the club has released a book entitled "A History of Galway Rowing Club-1910-2009" written by member James Casserly. The book which follows the history of the club through photographs and written word is "not only a history of the club but a history of Galway as well," said member Bernard O'Halloran. For more information visit www.galwayrowingclub.net.