Irish women’s masters rowers have returned from the 2025 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Banyoles, Spain, with an extraordinary 20 gold medals.
The regatta, held from 10–14 September, was the largest masters rowing event in the world this year, attracting over 5,000 athletes from 55 countries, with 5,428 entries across 745 clubs worldwide. Against this backdrop of fierce international competition, the Irish women’s crews delivered a dominant performance.
A squad of 25 women, aged between 32 and 74, raced in 24 events and emerged victorious in 20 of them. Many athletes competed in multiple races across the four-day regatta, underlining the depth of experience, endurance, and teamwork within the group.
Irish clubs represented included St. Michael’s RC, Commercial RC, Killorglin RC, Old Collegians BC, Clonmel RC, Belfast RC, Lee BC, Tralee RC, Tribesmen RC, Skibbereen RC, Cork Boat Club, Belfast RC, and Shandon BC.
Highlights included:
Sheila Clavin (St. Michael’s) and Vanessa Lawrenson (St. Michael’s) each won nine gold medals – the most ever by an Irish female rower at the World Masters Regatta, and the highest tally of any female athlete at this year’s event.
Standout performances from Fiola Foley (Killorglin RC, 6 wins), Kate Rooney (OCBC, 5 wins), Naomi Fearon (OCBC, 5 wins), Eimear Moran (Commercial RC, 5 wins), Sally Cudmore (Cork Boat Club, 5 wins), Breanna Larsen (OCBC, 4 wins), and Sophie Connolly (Commercial RC, 4 wins) and Paula Maloney (Tralee RC, 4 wins).
Irish Women at 2025 World Rowing Masters Regatta Photo Gallery
Irish master women also featured in mixed crews, combining with male Irish rowers to secure four additional golds in mixed eights and a mixed quad.
“This result shows the incredible depth of women’s masters rowing in Ireland, both in sculling and sweep rowing,” said Gillian Carolan of Tribesmen Rowing Club, Galway. “To compete against the best female masters athletes in the world, many of whom have competed in the Olympics and World Championships, and come home with 20 gold medals is incredible. We made the Irish rowing community proud".
The success in Banyoles highlights the strength of Irish masters rowing and reflects the continued growth of the sport across the country.
