What is the Naval Service?

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Where is the Naval Service based?

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

What does the Naval Service do?

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

When was the Naval Service formed?

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

How many ships are in the Naval Service?

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

What are the Irish Navy ship's names?

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long Éireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Roisín, and LÉ Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ George Bernard Shaw.

Are Irish Naval Service ships armed?

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

How is the fleet managed and maintained?

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

Who is the head of the Irish Naval Service?

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett – appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

What is the Intelligence and Fishery Section of the Irish Naval Service?

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

What is the Fishery Monitoring Centre?

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

How are shore operations managed?

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Does the Naval Service undertake overseas missions?

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

How can I join the Irish Naval Service?

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2″, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Are there women in the Naval Service?

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

What is a Naval Service Officer cadet?

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service officer cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

What qualifications are required to become a cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign. The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When can I apply to become a Naval Service cadet?

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.

Where is the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)?

The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.

What is a Naval Service recruit?

A Naval Service recruit enlists for general service in the "Other Ranks" of the Defence Forces. After successfully completing the initial recruit training course, a recruit passes out as an Ordinary Seaman and will then go onto their branch training course before becoming qualified as an Able Body sailor in the Naval Service.

What qualifications are required to become a Naval Service recruit?

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. You need to satisfy the interview board and the recruiting officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service recruit?

Recruit training is 18 weeks in duration and is designed to "develop a physically fit, disciplined and motivated person using basic military and naval skills" to "prepare them for further training in the service. Recruits are instilled with the Naval Service ethos and the values of "courage, respect, integrity and loyalty".

What is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) career training?

On the progression up through the various ranks, an Able Rate will have to complete a number of career courses to provide them with training to develop their skills in a number of areas, such as leadership and management, administration and naval/military skills. The first of these courses is the Naval Service Potential NCO course, followed by the Naval Service Standard NCO course and the Naval Service senior NCO course. This course qualifies successful candidates of Petty officer (or Senior Petty Officer) rank to fill the rank of Chief Petty Officer upwards. The successful candidate may also complete and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Naval Studies in partnership with Cork Institute of Technology.

What is pay like in the Naval Service?

Pay has long been an issue for just the Naval Service, at just over 1,000 personnel. Cadets and recruits are required to join the single public service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme, based on career-average earnings. For current rates of pay, see the Department of Defence website

Displaying items by tag: Coastal Rowing

25th August 2022

Skerries Rowing Club Presents the 2022 Round Rockabill Rowing Race

Organised by Skerries Coastal Rowing Club, ‘Round Rockabill Rowing Race’ is a gruelling, 15km race into open sea, open to various categories, including FISA, East Coast Skiffs, One Design and more.

At least 25 boats will arrive in Skerries on Saturday 27th August.

The race starts at 10:30 from the south strand in Skerries followed by a 7.5km row straight out towards Rockabill, round it and back again to the south strand for a beach sprint finish!

The event is supported by Fingal Co. Co. and sponsored by local businesses.

Rowers racing in last years round Rockabill race

‘Round Rockabill Rowing Race’ will bring rowing clubs from all over Ireland to our beautiful coastline.

Spectators will have a perfect, unobstructed view of this spectacle from the whole of the south beach and boats will take off in waves, depending on specific handicaps.

Each boat will set off from the south beach in Skerries at 10:30 and row straight out towards the Rockabill lighthouse. Once rounded, the crews will need to row back the same way for a beach sprint finish on the south beach.

Skerries Rowing Club
Skerries Rowing Club is a young and vibrant coastal rowing club, founded in 2012 and celebrating 10 years this year. Today the club consists of over 100 members, from age 11 to over 70, from all sorts of backgrounds with all sorts of abilities and aspirations, from recreational rowing to seriously competitive rowing. Skerries row in clinker-built traditional wooden east-coast skiffs with fixed seats and wooden oars. There are four oars people - each with a sweep oar, and a coxswain. SRC is a member of the East Coast Rowing Council and competes in ECRC regattas most summer weekends against our fellow east coast clubs.

Published in Coastal Rowing

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23rd August 2022

Inver Colpa Rowing Club Donate Skipathon Proceeds to Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge

On Saturday 23rd July 2022, Inver Colpa Coastal Rowing Club hosted a 12 Hour Charity Skipathon in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre to raise much-needed funds for both Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge Centre and Inver Colpa Coastal Rowing Club.

The club were delighted to meet again last Saturday in Scotch Hall to present the Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge Centre with a cheque for €2,655.

Club Secretary Glenda Murphy stated:
‘We are thrilled with the amount that we have raised both for the club and for such an important charity like the Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge Centre. We really have to thank all the skippers for their dedication and determination on the day and in their training beforehand, along with Sean Kilroy Fitness & St. Nicholas G.F.C., especially chairman Dessie McDonald, for all their help! We would also like to thank Scotch Hall for hosting the Skipathon, along with everyone who donated, Gillian Marry and Lisa Devlin for the food and Brian Millan for the leg rubs during what was a real test of endurance for our skippers’.

It’s an exciting time for the club as they train for two upcoming races in Skerries and Islandmagee over the next few weeks. Ongoing thanks as always is due to the club’s sponsors - Flo Gas, KC Shipping, EBS Bank, Premium Pellets and helpmypension.ie

Published in Coastal Rowing

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3rd August 2022

New Kilrush Skiff Honours Ukraine And Clare

When it came to painting the new St Ayles skiff Ealu built by Seol Sionnas (the owners of the much-admired traditional cutter Sally O’Keeffe) under the direction of Steve Morris in Kilrush Boatyard, it was “No Contest” as regards décor choice. For County Clare the Banner County shares the same distinctive blue and bright yellow colours with beleaguered Ukraine.

And as it happens, there are three Ukrainian girls staying in Kilrush who were keen to help with the painting job. The result is one very smart-looking craft whose attractive handling characteristics and performance potential eloquently explain why the numbers of this special Iain Oughtred design have reached more than 400 boats worldwide.

The new St Ayles skiff Ealu makes the traditional Kilrush maiden voyage of a sunwise circuit of the Holy Island of Scattery in the Shannon Estuary, rowing at “a comfortable four knots”. Photo: Trea Heaps

Ealu recently had the traditional Kilrush maiden voyage of a sunwise circuit of Scattery Island, and demonstrated that she can comfortably maintain a cruising rowing speed of four knots, so now “some fairly serious expeditions” are being planned with the able Sally O’Keeffe as support vessel.

The ultimate multi-tasker – Kilrush master shipwright James Madigan worked on the restoration of the Ilen and sailed on her, he is currently involved in the restoration of the Dublin Bay 21 Class, and he took time out to work in building Ealu, and is seen here rowing on the bow oar. Photo: Trea Heaps

Published in Coastal Rowing

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19th July 2022

Over 100 Coastal Rowing Crews Attend 17 Races at Dun Laoghaire's St. Michael's Regatta (Results Here!)

Dun Laoghaire Harbour's St. Michael’s Rowing Club Regatta took place on Sunday, the 17th of July and brought together a large community of heritage skiff rowers from all along the east coast writes St. Michael’s Simone Sav

Coastal rowing at St Michael’s Rowing Club combines all the positive aspects of team sport, seamanship, fitness, competition and the great outdoors. The club caters for men, women and children with all levels of aspiration, from the recreational to the serious athlete.

Traditionally held every year at Seapoint on Dublin Bay, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday

With more than 100 crews, 17 races on the cards and participation of all age categories (from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s), the event was the largest coastal rowing regatta in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown in 2022. Traditionally held every year at Seapoint, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday. This helps keep alive the tradition of the hobblers of old. With fixed seats, wooden oars, and clinker-built boats, the sport of heritage skiff rowing differs significantly from our freshwater ‘Olympic-style’ cousins.

"Heritage rowing is a sport for all ages - from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s"

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowers. In a thoughtful departure from the usual format, the club opted for eco-friendly wood medals. After all, heritage skiff rowing is truly a sport that leaves no trace, which draws on the savvy of wood craftsmanship, the power of the human body and the maritime knowledge to cross any waters.

St. Michael’s rowing medals were in hot dema at Seapoint

Club members were also delighted to see several elected councillors and TDs stop by or promote the event via their social media: TD Barry Ward; TD Cormac Devlin; Councilor Justin Moylan and Councillor Peter O’Brien.

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowersd

The event was supported by local businesses: Access Hearing Centre, Dun Laoghaire; Acorn Landscaping; Ardcolts Supervalu Dun Laoghaire SC; Cafe du Journal & Bearhug Clothing, Monkstown; Cinnamon, Monkstown; Elephant & Castle, Monkstown; Georges Fish Shop, Monkstown; McKenna’s Bar; Specialist Orthodontic Practice, Glenageary; The Graduate Pub, Killiney.

The St. Michael’s Rowing Club committee, and in particular Captains Nicola Fitzgerald and Gareth Whittington, would like to thank all sponsors, supporters, club members and friends for their contribution to making the event a great success.

St. Michael’s Rowing Club was founded in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the early 1920s. Today the club consists of over 100 members, from all walks of life, with all abilities catered for, from complete beginners to experienced rowers.

Crews train Monday to Friday from March to September, from 6 pm to sundown, in traditional wooden skiffs, as well as Celtic Longboat, with an offshore boat to be added to the fleet during the 2022 season.

St. Michael’s Home Regatta results - 17th July 2022

Intermediate Ladies
1st - Fingal
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Dalkey

Junior Ladies
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Stella Maris

Junior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Mixed crew
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Senior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - St Michaels

U12 boys
1st - Wicklow
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Wicklow

U12 girls
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - St Michaels

U14 boys
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - Stella Maris

U14 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Greystones

Novice Men
1st - Fingal
2nd - Bray
3rd - Dalkey

U21s Mens race
1st - St Michaels

Senior Ladies
1st - St Michaels
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - Fingal

Intermediate Men
1st - Wicklow
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Greystones

U16 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Wicklow

U16 boys
1st - Bray
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Skerries

U18 girls
1st - Skerries
2nd - Greystones
3rd - Bray?

U18 boys
1st - Wicklow
2nd - St Michaels A
3rd - Skerries

Vets
1st - Dalkey & Bray
2nd - Dalkey
3rd - Fingal

Published in Coastal Rowing

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11th July 2022

Stella Maris Regatta Hosts Enjoy Dublin Coastal Rowing Success on the River Liffey

Stella Maris Rowing Clubs' first post-pandemic regatta on the River Liffey at Poolbeg Marina on Sunday will go down as one of the best in many years, not necessarily for the on-water success enjoyed by the host club throughout the day but more for all the other elements that simply made for a great day out on the capital's waters in Dublin Port.

This was the first coastal rowing regatta to actually take place on the East Coast circuit this year.

Stella Maris Regatta Coastal Rowing 2022 Stella Maris Regatta competitors underneath the North Wall Quay lighthouse on the River Liffey Photo: Afloat

Three others (Dalkey, Skerries and Balbriggan/Fingal) were cancelled in Late May and early June due to high winds and adverse conditions unsuited to offshore rowing.

There was lots of praise from among the east coast rowing community for Stella Maris Regatta organiser Pat Kane and his committee for the smooth running of the event Photo: Afloat

As Afloat reported previously, ten clubs from along the East Coast from Balbriggan to Arklow took part bringing over 120 crews onto the water throughout the day.

Conditions were perfect for the Stella Maris Regatta 2022 with a course on the river Liffey between Poolbeg Marina and The Eastlink Bridge Photo: Afloat

Brilliant weather, good spirits, healthy rivalries, and races running efficiently and on time all made for a wonderful East Coast Regatta enjoyed by a wide range of coastal rowing clubs.

Competition commenced at 10 am at Poolbeg Marina on the River Liffey on Sunday. This was the Stella Maris Club's first "Full" regatta since 2019 Photo: Afloat

While Stella Maris may have been the big winners over the day there were great performances from all the East Coast Clubs with every club in attendance represented on the overall Medal table. See results below.

Stella Maris Regatta Coastal Rowing 2022 A coastal rowing crew pictured just after finishing a Stella Maris Regatta race on the River Liffey Photo: Afloat

Stella Maris Coastal Rowing Regatta 2022 Results

U12 Boys
1st Wicklow
2nd Wicklow
3rd St Patricks

U12 Girls
1st St Patricks
2nd Stella Maris
3rd St Patricks

U14 Girls
1st Stella Maris
2nd Stella Maris
3rd Stella Maris

A Stella Maris Coastal Rowing Regatta crew alongside MV Celine, the world’s largest short sea Ro-Ro ship Photo: Afloat

U14 Boys
1st St Patricks
2nd Stella Maris
3rd Stella Maris

U16 Girls
1st Stella Maris
2nd Stella Maris
3rd Bray

U16 Boys
1st St Patricks
2nd Skerries

U18 Girls
1st Stella Maris
2nd Greystones

U18 Boys
1st Wicklow
2nd Dunlaoghaire
3rd Skerries

Inter Ladies
1st Fingal
2nd Stella Maris
3rd Skerries

Inter Men
1st Stella Maris
2nd St Patricks
3rd Greystones

Dalkey ladies coastal rowing team at the Stella Maris Regatta

Junior Ladies
1st Dalkey
2nd Stella Maris
3rd St Patricks

Junior Men
1st Stella Maris
2nd Dunlaoghaire
3rd Bray

Mixed
1st Dalkey
2nd Stella Maris
3rd Fingal

Novice Women
1st Bray
2nd Dalkey
3rd Fingal

Novice Men
1st Fingal
2nd Dalkey
3rd Greystones

Senior Ladies
1st Stella Maris
2nd Dun Laoghaire
3rd Wicklow

Senior Men
1st Wicklow
2nd St Patricks
3rd Stella Maris

Published in River Liffey

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29th May 2022

Disappointment for Dalkey Coastal Rowing Club's 90th Regatta as Weather Cancels Plans

There was disappointment for Irish coastal rowing fans at the weekend when Dalkey Rowing Club cancelled its 90th-anniversary Regatta on Dublin Bay due to an adverse weather forecast.

Unfortunately, the forecast for Sunday worsened and organisers deemed it unsafe to stage the event despite a strong entry, a full card and having laid the course in Scotsman's Bay in the south of the Bay for the two-day event.

"In a statement on social media, the club said: "The tides in Scotsman’s Bay don’t allow a full days card (when they’re low they’re low) which is why it [the regatta] was over two days. And we can’t then run only half a card, it had to be all races or none. It’s the winds that are the issue and we had to be safe for everyone’s sake".

Published in Coastal Rowing

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19th May 2022

Airport Police and Fire Service Rowers Thank St. Patrick’s Rowing Club for Support of 250 km Charity Row Attempt

The Airport Police & Fire Service Rowing Club has thanked River Liffey-based St. Patrick’s Rowing Club in Dublin city for the loan of its quad boat to train for this year’s ‘challenging’ club charity event.

‘Endeavoar 2022’ is a 250-kilometre coastal row along the West Coast of Ireland in aid of the three Dublin Airport Authority staff charities which are, St. Francis Hospice, Feed our Homeless and The Mater Foundation.

Part of the challenge will be to climb Sceilg Mhíchíl and then continue north passing The Blasket Islands, The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and finally into Galway Bay.

The club says this “three-day event will be one of the most challenging and spectacular we have ever attempted”.

Unfortunately, strong winds thwarted plans for the scheduled May 19th start but it is hoped to make the attempt again in September.

“Thanks to St. Patrick's Rowing Club for allowing us to train using their boat and to Portmagee Rowing Club for giving us their offshore quad during the event. Without their kindness we could not attempt this challenge”, the club ytold followers on social media.

Thanks to St. Patrick's Rowing Club for allowing us to train using their boat

The donate page is here

Published in Coastal Rowing

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9th May 2022

Sixth Boyne Boat Race a Big Success as Inver Colpa Men Win Inaugural Cassidy Cup (Photo Gallery)

From 6.30 am on a damp and drizzly Sunday morning May 1st, 29 boats of all shapes and sizes started to arrive on Clogherhead Strand to prepare for the sixth Annual Boyne Boat Race, taking place later that morning writes Sarah McCann of Inver Colpa Rowing Club

The race was a huge success with the Inver Colpa Men’s crew not only winning their category, but also taking home the inaugural Cassidy Cup.

Speaking after the event the club Chairperson James McKevitt, who was also a member of the winning men’s crew stated:

The day was a huge success for the club and all involved. The Boyne Boat Race hadn’t been held since 2019 due to Covid, so it was very exciting to bring the event back. All the members put in a great effort in organising the race, with special mention going to Grace and her race committee. The club are very grateful to the many who made the day possible: Drogheda Port, Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue & Recovery, the RNLI, and the Red Cross. We are also indebted to our sponsors: Flogas, The Mariner, and Grennan’s Bar.

Even though the route up the river from the mouth of the Boyne is so scenic, passing maiden tower, Baltray, Queensborough, Beaulieu House, and in under the viaduct Photo: Robert Hatch

The two Inver Colpa race crews, both mens and ladies, put in a mammoth effort on the day and in the months leading up to it in training. The race itself is a real challenge - 15.5km long, starting on the open sea at Clogherhead and then entering the Boyne at Mornington, requiring the cox of each crew to navigate the Boyne into Drogheda, and finish under the De Lacy bridge at Scotch Hall.

James continued: It was fitting to see so many friends, family and Drogheda folk line the river and quays cheering on the rowers. A true spectacle seeing nearly 30 boats crossing the town waters. Even though the route up the river from the mouth of the Boyne is so scenic, passing maiden tower, Baltray, Queensborough, Beaulieu House, and in under the viaduct, all the participants were rowing too hard to notice! It is a very special route considering the history of that short stretch of river, following in the wash of St. Patrick, the Vikings, and even the Salmon of Knowledge. Our own Gerry Hodgins is said to be still trying to catch that Salmon!

This year saw a record number of entrants into the race with crews travelling from as far as Strangford Lough, Ballygally and Whitehead in Northern Ireland, along with crews from Dublin and Wicklow, amongst others. The boats that travelled across the country to compete were a mixture of East Coast skiffs, St. Ayles skiffs, currachs, All-Ireland one-design boats, Fiesas and Celtic Longboats.

The weather didn't dampen anyone's spirits Photo: Robert Hatch

Glenda Carter, Club Secretary and a member of the women’s crew commented: The weather didn't dampen anyone's spirits on Sunday. It was great to see so many boats on Clogherhead Strand that day after two years of not being able to host the race due to the pandemic. We're really proud of the effort put into the race organisation by all our club members and look forward to it being even bigger & better next year!

Boyne Boat Race 2022 results

Skiffs St Ayles - Men - Strangford Lough - 1:45:46

Skiffs St Ayles - Women - Strangford Lough - 1:55:24

Currach - Mixed - Carlingford Lough - 1:55:37

East Coast Skiffs - Men - St. Patrick's - 1:28:37

East Coast Skiffs - Mixed - St Michael's - 1:42:46

All Ireland One Design - Men - Inver Colpa - 1:30:55

All Ireland One Design - Women - Castle - 1:37:53

All Ireland One Design - Mixed - Whitehead - 1:25:35

Celtic Long Boats - Women - Vartry - 1:47:35

Celtic Long Boats - Mixed - Vartry - 1:44:30

Fiesa’s - Male Double - Greystones - 1:19:32

Fiesa’s - Mixed Double - Vartry - 1:35:49

Fiesa’s - Male Quad - Vartry - 1:12:37

Sixth Boyne Boat Race Photo Gallery by Richie Hatch and Tony Campbell

Published in Coastal Rowing

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7th March 2022

All in a Row Challenge Presents €20,000 to RNLI & Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit

The “All in a Row” team which smashed a 1,000 km target in eight hours on the Liffey late last year has presented €20,000 to two leading marine rescue charities.

The RNLI’s Howth station and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit were nominated to benefit from the event, held last December on the River Liffey.

Some 40 skiffs, kayaks, canoes and currachs participated in the event, which started from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge).

Rowers turned at the Ha’penny Bridge, before heading back downriver to the Tom Clarke Bridge.

Rose Michael, (right) Howth RNLI Lifeboats and Pauline McGann, RNLI Community Manager receiving the funds raised

The event, now an annual challenge, is undertaken to raise monies for marine rescue and also to highlight the Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities, according to the organisers.

Speaking at the presentation, Mayor of Irishtown/Ringsend Derek Buckley said “the local community effort involved in raising these funds is remarkable and we look forward to hosting this event in our community again next December”.

The All in a Row Crew are Dave Kelly (Chair) - Draiocht Na Life, Philip Murphy -St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Eoin Gaffney - Phoenix Masters Swimming Club, Mick Curry -Stella Maris Rowing Club, Peter Carey – Phoenix Rowing Club, Tony Kelly – East Wall Water Sports Group, Dave Cox – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Chris Kennedy – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Gerry Coonan – Wild Water Kayak Club, Eimear McCormack – St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Seamus Hallahan – Dublin Vikings Dragon Boats, Eugene Kierans & Richard Kaye – Irish Underwater Search and Recovery and Rose Michael, Royal National Lifeboat Association Howth Station.

On the water support was provided by RNLI Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club, East Wall Water Sports Centre, Irish Underwater Search and Recovery and the No. 11 Liffey Ferry.

The Sea Scouts from 1st Port Dublin and 5th Wicklow (Bray) provided “very welcome hot drinks ashore”, the organisers said.

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22nd February 2022

Kilrush Adds St Ayles Skiff to Shannon Estuary’s Growing Traditional Fleet

Kilrush may be best known internationally these days as the place where the Dublin Bay 21 fleet - originally from 1902 - is being re-born through the developing skills of the Steve Morris-led boat-building team in the south Clare harbour town.

But the local maritime group Seol Sionna have long been noted for their breadth of interests, and though their flagship continues to be the charismatic 25ft Shannon Hooker re-creation Sally O’Keeffe – one of the best-looking character boats in Ireland – the group’s members and associates take in a wide selection of craft, one of the more recent being a new-build gleoiteog – the Naomh Fanchea – which chimes very well with the spirit of the times as her auxiliary is an electric motor.

The St Ayles skiff concept is now well proven

In recent months as pandemic regulations ease, Seol Sionna have added yet another dimension by building themselves a St Ayles skiff in one of Steve Morris’s sheds under the tutelage of Steve himself. Although the 22ft St Ayles design by Iain Oughtred has very specific origins at Fair Isle in the far north beyond Scotland, midway between the Orkneys and Shetland, the result – thanks to edge-glued marine ply clinker construction with just six planks per side – is a four-oared easily-handled craft of notable lightness, a more manageable proposition for a small group than the traditional 32ft Irish coastal rowing skiff.

The new Kilrush skiff starts to take shape

The new skiff ready for turning in Kilrush – any Viking would feel at home with this hull shape

For an organisation like Seaol Sionna, this offers the option of easy trailering to rowing and trad-sailing events at some distance from Kilrush. For although Kilrush undoubtedly feels like the hub of the universe when you’re actually there, other “less important” traditional boat centres tend to seem a long way away, and maintaining healthy interaction with them will be facilitated by a proper road trailer being part of the grant package which made the project possible.

The traditional classic Sally O’Keeffe slipping effortlessly along on a sunny Shannon Estuary evening

That said, most of the new boat’s activity will be in the Shannon Estuary, and as she is just about as different as possible in concept from the hefty but surprisingly swift Sally O’Keeffe, a certain level of competition can be expected in the local sailing waters round Scattery Island. The St Ayles boat may be primarily a rowing craft, but they can give a good account of themselves under sail, and the challenge is right there, ready and waiting.

Encouraging junior sailing talent at the helm – Sally O’Keeffe plays a central role in the maritime life of Kilrush.