The River Lee was filled with colour, excitement and drama with over 30 different types of boats all competing in Ocean to City – An Rás Mór on Saturday 10 June. Ireland’s premier coastal rowing race had to make a significant course change last week due to the high winds predicted for Saturday, and the resultant Sheltered River Race was a resounding success.
Joya Kuin, Festival Manager said, “We were all put to the test this year having to change the race route at such short notice to the Sheltered River Course, due to weather conditions. Luckily our team of volunteers and supporters all rose to the challenge and succeeded in delivering not just a safe event – but also one that was challenging, competitive and enjoyable for all our participants. The atmosphere was absolutely electric at the finish line and it was fantastic to see so many happy faces after the tough race.”
Blackrock Rowing Club Youth Crew
Over 600 participants in 200 boats took to the water at Port of Cork to race a river route along the north shore to Blackrock Castle, and passing back on the southern shore along the Marina to the finish Line at Lapp’s Quay, with most boats doing two laps. Crews participated across a range of classes, from juniors to veteran participants; rowers and paddlers from all over Ireland, England, Wales, The Netherlands and the US. Competition was intense due to the confined space of the course, which added to the excitement and enjoyment for spectators and participants alike.
Boats at the Port of Cork finish line on the River Lee
Ocean to City – An Rás Mór, the flagship event of Cork Harbour Festival is organised by Meitheal Mara, the community boatyard, training centre and charity located in the heart of Cork City. The Festival is sponsored by Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, Failte Ireland and MaREI, and made possible with the help of dozens of Event Partners and hundreds of volunteers.
Female east coast racing skiff coming in to the finish line
The Hamble River Rowing Club from the UK
Meitheal Mara Challenge Cup Winners – An Doras Dearg
The Port of Cork Ocean to City Race
The Rowing Team Relentless
The Beardy Flies of Naomhoga Chorcai
Results for The Sheltered River Course 2017 – Ocean to City – An Rás Mor
2-hd Currachs (single lap) - 1st Prize: 100, Brandon, Siog
3-hd Currachs (single lap) - 1st Prize: 105, Meitheal, Bádoireacht | Meitheal Mara
3-hd Currachs (double lap) - 1st Prize: 8, West Clare Currach Club, Orca
4-hd Naomhóga - 1st Prize & Cían Ó Sé Memorial Trophy: 17, Naomhóga Chorcaí, NC Noamhóg Workshop
4-hd Naomhóga - 2nd Prize & Never Again Prize: 16, Naomhóga Chorcaí, Saints and Sinners
East Coast Racing Skiffs - 1st Prize: 27, Bray Rowing Club, Bri Chualann
East Coast Racing Skiffs - 1st Female Crew: 25, Dalkey Rowing Club, Dalkey/Leary
St Ayles Skiffs - 1st Prize: 33, Dundrum Coastal Rowing Club, Tonn Ruray
Thames Waterman Cutters - 1st Prize: 57, Port of London Authority, Plashers B (UK)
Celtic Longboats - 1st Prize & 1st Veteran: 70, Aberdyfi Rowing Club, Aberdyfi Mens (UK)
Celtic Longboats - 2nd Prize & 1st Mixed: 65, Madog Yacht Club, Mad Dogs On Speed (UK)
ICRF One-Designs - 1st Prize & 1st Veteran: 80, Templenoe Rowing Club, Unlimited
ICRF One-Design - 2nd Prize: 78, Passage West Rowing Club
ICRF One-Designs - 1st Female/Mixed: 72, Kilmacabea Rowing Club, Kilmacabea Record Breakers
Sliding-Seat Singles - 1st Prize: 50, Albert O'Sullivan-Greene, Castletownbere Rowing Club
Quad Sliding-Seat Boats - 1st Prize: 85, Bantry Rowing club
Dragon Boats - 1st Prize: 89, Kaag Dragons (The Netherlands)
Dragon Boats - 1st Breast Cancer Survivor Crew: 88, Suir Dragons & Nore Dragons
Boat Builder of the Day: 45, Martin Murphy, Passage West Rowing Club
Boat of the Day - Charlie Hennessy Cup: 92, ‘’Lily’’, Flesk Valley RC
Community Boat Build Prize: 28, St Michaels Rowing Club, St Michaels Mens Crew
Meitheal Mara Challenge Cup: 97, An Doras Dearg, Bádoireacht | Meitheal Mara
Most Unconventional Route Prize: 68, Madog Yacht Club, Mad Dogs On Tour (UK)
Special Endeavour Award: 108, Blackrock Rowing Club Junior Crew, Team Passage
SUP - 1st Prize - #372 - Dermot Twomey
Sit-on-top (single Lap), 1st Prize / 1st Veteran, #392 Chris Coady
Sit-on-top (single Lap) 2nd Prize / 2nd Veteran #561 Jonathan Foley
Sit-on-top (Single Lap) 3rd Prize / Veteran #523 John O’Mahony
Sit-on-top (Single Lap) 1st Female / 1st Veteran Female #504 Aine Nugent
Expedition Kayak (Single Lap) 1st Prize #537 Liam Holland
Expedition Kayak (Single Lap) 2nd Prize / 1st Veteran #534 Nigel Ducker
Expedition Kayak (Single Lap) 3rd Prize / 2nd Veteran #260 Robert Wilkes
Expedition Kayak (Single Lap) 3rd Veteran #205 Garrett Casey
Expedition Kayak (Single Lap) 1st Female #531 Tracey Coughlan
Double Kayak (Single Lap) 1st Prize #906 John Harrington
Expedition Kayak (Double Lap 1st Prize / 1st Veteran #326 Tomas Walsh
Expedition Kayak (Double Lap) 2nd Prize #315 Adam Kennedy
Expedition Kayak (Double Lap) 3rd Prize / 2nd Veteran #334 Chris McDaid
Expedition Kayak (Double Lap) 3rd Veteran #304 Paul Holland
Expedition Kayak (Double Lap) 1st Female #329 Heather Clarke
Expedition kayak (Double Lap) 2nd Female #299 Sinead Frawley
Unlimited Kayak (Double Lap) 1st Prize #348 Dermot Hudson
Unlimited kayak (Double Lap) 2nd Prize #357 Paul Russell
Unlimited Kayak (Double Lap) 3rd Prize #351 Jim Morrissey
Double Kayak (Double Lap) 1st Prize #904 Ronan O’Connor
