The All-Ireland Rowing Championships brought together the best currach rowers from across the Atlantic counties, while capturing the essence of Connemara's tight-knit rowing community.
The senior men's race saw victory go to the Carna Rosmuc team of Mairtin PT, Michael PT, and Joe Rua, who overcame challenging conditions to claim top honours against stiff competition from across the provinces.
The all-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship senior men winners Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
Hot on their heels came the Connemara crew featuring Mairtin Einniu, alongside Michael Sullivan and the remarkable Michael Kelly. After 15 years away from the currach, Kelly emerged from retirement to not only compete but claim the One Man All Ireland title in what has been described as stunning fashion.
The all-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship One Man Winner Michael Kelly Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
The medal count kept climbing for this talented group when Mairtin Einniu, Michael Kelly, Michael Sullivan, and Conor McDonagh combined forces to win the prestigious four-hand race.
Between them, this crew accumulated an impressive collection of All-Ireland medals throughout the day, underlining the depth of talent within these interconnected families and their ability to compete at the highest level against crews from across Ireland.
Mairtin PT, Michael PT, Joe Rua, and Paraic Canavan secured second place in the naomhógs, adding another medal to their tally and proving their versatility across different boat classes.
Men’s Naomhog winners at the all-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship, Michael, Mairtin, Michael & Conor Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
The women's four-hand race was dominated by a truly pan-Irish crew. Julie Devane (Michael Sullivan's wife and Cian's mother) teamed up with Ruth from Clare, Ailish from Kerry, and Caitlin from Mayo to claim the title.
Ladies winners at the all-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship Bernie, Roisin, Maģire B Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
At the All-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship lady crew winners, Ailish, Julie & Caitlin Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
However, they had to work hard for their victory, with Roisin Einniu's team finishing a competitive second.
As one observer noted, "the bay wasn't big enough for the two teams" - a testament to the fierce but friendly rivalry that drives these championships to ever-higher standards.
The intricate web of family connections continued throughout the day. Michael Sullivan partnered with Roisin Einniu to win the mixed man and woman race, with Roisin and her brother Mairtin Einniu being first cousins to both Michael PT and Mairtin PT.
Fear & Bean winner at the All-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship, Michael & Roisin Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
The junior category maintained this dynastic theme, with victory going to the Carna team of Cian Sullivan (Michael and Julie's son), Liam McGrath (nephew to both Mairtin PT and Michael PT), and Gearoid Mulkerrins—the latter being Mairtin's son. The family connections run so deep that this junior crew represented three generations of rowing excellence.
All-Ireland Currach Rowing Championship junior winners, Gearoid, Cian & Liam Photo: Máire Ní Éinniú
Perhaps the day's most thrilling finish came in the women's three-hand race, where Roisin Einniu teamed up with Maire Brid Canavan and Bernie Joyce. Trailing in third place as they approached the final stretch, the trio found another gear when it mattered most, surging past their rivals at the last buoy to snatch victory from what seemed certain defeat.
Sunday's championships in Rosmuc demonstrated that currach rowing—that most elemental of Irish maritime traditions—remains vibrantly alive across Ireland's western counties. From Michael Kelly's inspiring comeback to inter-county teams like Julie Devane's crew, the regatta showed how the sport continues to unite coastal communities in friendly but fierce competition.
2025 All-Ireland Rowing Championships results
Triúr Fear - sponsored by Radio na Gaeltachta
- 1. Carna/Rosmuc - Joe Rua Seoige, Michael & Mairtin O Maolchiaráin
- 2. Connemara - Mairtin Einniu, Michael Kelly, Michael Sullivan
- 3. Rosmuc/Roundstone - Conor Mac Donagh, Noel O Griofa, Paraic Canavan
- 4. Eanach Mheain/An Spidéal - Conchubhair Breathnach, Patrick O Malley, Paul Sullivan
Triú Ban - Sponsored by Arramara
- 1. Carna/Rosmuc - Roisin Einniu, Maire Bríd Breathnach, Bernie Seoige
- 2. Doonbeg - Ruth O'Leary, Ailise Deane, Maire Seoige
- 3. Tullghan Bay - Caitlin Doocey, Emma Gaughan, Una McCafferty
Fear & Bean - Sponsored by Long Life Structures
- 1. Connemara - Roisin Einniu, Michael Sullivan
- 2. Rosmuc 1 - Noel O Griofa, Bernie Seoige
- 3. Connemara/Ciarraí - Mairtin Einniu, Ailse Deane
- 4. Rosmuc/Roundstone - Conor Mc Donagh, Maire Brid Breathnach
Fear Amhain - Sponsored by Tigh Ruairí, Ostán Inis Óirr, Tigh Ned, &Doolin Ferries
- 1. Michael Kelly
- 2. Noel O Griofa
- 3. Michael PT O Maolchiaráin
- 4. Conor Mc Donagh
Sóisir - Sponsored by Barney Choilin Sala
- 1. Carna - Cian Sullivan, Liam McGrath, Gearoid ó Maoilchiaráin
Racers - Sponsored by Feile na mBád Rosmuc
- 1. Naomh Ciaran - Joe Rua Seoige, Michael & Mairtin O Maolchiaráin
- 2. Racer Noel - Noel O Griofa, Michael Sullivan, Michael Kelly
Naomhóga Mna - Sponsored by Anam na Mara
- 1. Ailise Deane, Ruth O'Leary, Julie Devane, Caitlín Ní Dhughaigh
- 2. Roisin Einniu, Maire Brid Breathnach, Bernie Seoige, Maire Seoige
Naomhóga Fear: Sponsored by TG4
- 1. Mairtin Einniu, Michael Sullivan, Michael Kelly, Conor McDonagh
- 2. Joe Rua Seoige, Michael & Mairtin O Maolchiaráin, Paraic Canavan
