Olympic medallist Aifric Keogh will be guest of honour at a celebration on Friday (Oct 25) of 90 years of “Jes” rowing on the river Corrib in Galway.
The “Jes” or Coláiste Iognáid rowing club is marking the anniversary at a dinner in the Ardilaun Hotel.
MC on the night will be RTE’s Darren Frehill, who will welcome former “Jes” pupil and rowing club member Aifric Keogh, winner of a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
The members of the famous “Jes” J18 crew of 1974 will also be honoured on the night.
As the club states,its beginnings dates to early 1934, when a group of “Jes” boys gathered in Keoghs shop - located only a few yards from the school - to discuss the formation of a school rowing club.
“The school authorities turned down an initial application to sanction a rowing club as there was no one on the school staff to take charge. However, months later in October 1934, another appeal was made, this time successfully and the “Jes” rowing club was formed”, it says.
“The fortunes of the club ebbed and flowed over the coming decades and sometime in the mid-1950s, the club took an absolutely crucial step forward when it obtained the present spacious riverside site at Earl's Island within the grounds of the National University of Ireland, Galway from then University College Galway,”it says.
“The club has grown from strength to strength ever since,”it says, and is one of the largest in the country with over 100 members.
Former members of the club have gone on to successfully represent Ireland or their club at World Championships, World University Games, Henley Royal Regatta, Women's Henley, National Senior Championships, World Senior Championships - and the Olympics.
“The club's success is only possible because of the great team spirit and work ethic shown by the rowers, the coaches and the many people who support the club in so many different ways,”it says.
Further details of the 90th anniversary event are here
