The eighth annual Boyne coastal rowing race, hosted by Inver Colpa Rowing Club, took place on Sunday, May 5th, with crews from all across the country making their way once more to the starting point on the beach at Clogherhead, this time for a very early morning start!

Carrying Boann, one of Inver Colpa club’s One Design boats, into the sea for the start of the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race Photo: Tony Campbell

From 5 am, rowers from all across the country arrived with their boats (a mix of East Coast Skiffs, St. Ayles Skiffs, All-Ireland One Design boats and Celtic Longboats), all bleary-eyed due to the early morning start, but looking forward to a challenging race for approximately 15.5km along the coast to the mouth of the River Boyne and down the river underneath the viaduct for a sprint finish to the de Lacy bridge.

The lnver Colpa ladies crew as they approach the finish line of the the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race Photo: Richie Hatch

All crews & coxes at the start line of the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race  Photo: Tony Campbell

As the sun rose, the beach was a hive of activity with trailers arriving, boats unloading, rowers preparing, and organisers officiating. With perfect weather conditions (for a change after the four seasons in one day last year!) there was a real sense of excitement in the early morning air. For the host club, it was a big day as it was the first time that Inver Colpa had three crews competing on the day, pointing to the growth of the club over the last few years.

The winning Inver Colpa mixed crew as they approach the finish line of the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race Photo: Richie Hatch

Speaking after the race, Club Chairperson, James McKevitt said: A hugely successful day for the club on and off the water. Inver Colpa’s mixed crew of Andy, Sarah, Tom, Joanne & Gerry (cox) did the club proud and took home the honours, winning the coveted Cassidy Cup. Great participation by all club members and visitors whether from within a boat or on the shore. It was the club's first time entering three boats into the event, and there were Boyne Boat Race debutants in Cliona, Tammy, Linda, Saoirse & Claire. Some boats took the scenic route across the Mornington flats, but all made it to the finish line in the end! We witnessed some great duels on the river and sea. Great support from friends and family, and the townsfolk of Drogheda. The Boyne Boat Race was a fitting prelude to the ‘Drogheda 10k’ later in the afternoon. It is a wonderful day for all involved, and it whets the appetite for Boyne Boat Race 2025!

The second Inver Colpa mixed crew as they approach the finish line of the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race Photo: Richie Hatch

Inver Colpa Rowing Club would like to thank everyone who rowed or helped out in any way on the day along with the Boyne Fishermans' Rescue and Recovery, Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat Station (especially Barry Sharkey), Clogherhead Coast Guard Eric Kirwan, Padraig Rath for Safety, Laurence Kirwan of Drogheda Port, Last Lap Cafe, St Nicholas GFC, Richie Hatch & Tony Campbell, Leinster Farm Machinery, Hurleys, and especially all of our sponsors - Flogas Ireland, Premium Pellets, Helpmypension.ie, KC Shipping, The Mariner & Grennan's Pub.

James McKevitt, Claire Corcoran, Glenda Murphy (cox), Saoirse Mallon, Darragh Farrell at the eighth annual Boyne Boat Race Photo: Tony Campbell