Galway Rowing Club

What a day we had in Athlone Regatta, hosted by our friends in Athlone Boat Club.
A JAM packed event for the club from 8am, through to finish after 6 pm, with every squad in the club represented from j14 up to our Masters and everything in between.
Conditions were testing on the morning but thankfully settled down a bit a the day went on, but the fun and laughter amongst all the members made the small breeze an after thought.
The club came away with a plethora of wins, and many close 2nds and strong performances from every crew that hit the water at Coosan point, and came close to winning Best Club.

Wins for the MJ164X+ got things rolling just after 8am, and club crews didn't want to be left behind with more following suit. Sam Mannion and Oscar Moore won their J181X finals in great faces, Sam in his first single sculling race. Next the Mens Masters 4X- continued their winning ways with a around race against their club mates , Sligo, and Lee Valley/ Neptune composite.
After the break, club captain Mike Gaffney teamed up with JJ Conneely, in the Mens Masters 2x, to overhaul a 21 second headstart for a strong Athlone crew, to grasp victory in a fantastic race. Our Mens J14 4x+ recorded a great win in their race with two of the crew relatively new to the sport, gave a brilliant showing holding onto victory in a tight finish.
Next up our Womens J151X race with Lucy O'connor and Una O'Dea both winning their finals in confident fashion. Our Mens Masters returned to action in the 1xs, with the scullers coming away south victory in their respective category; Tony O'connor, Sean Heaney and Owen Diviney all coming away with Gold.
Our J16 Ladies returned to the water in a tough race in the J168+ and put in a solid race to clinch victory from St Michaels. Our J18 lads were next out, in the MJ188+, with half the crew J16, stepped up with a gutsy, mature performance to pull off an upset from Blackrock and Castleconnell. Final club victory went to the WJ184- in a great race with St Michaels and Athlone.
There were many 2nd places on top of these wins, showing the club is in a great place and everyone is working hard on the run up to Champs.

Thanks to coaches, parents, supporters on the day, for a very long day. Special kudos to Rory for towing with a very early start, and late finish.
We go again next weekend for Cork Regatta at the NRC.

GRC Abú

Some great news came from Rowing HQ over the weekend where 4 of our Junior Womens squad were selected to represent their Country and Club at the Home International regatta, this year in the London Docklands in July.

This is a great honor for the club, the rowers and their families. An Irish jersey is always something to celebrate. We're soo proud of Laura Carolan, Carragh Coffey, Beatrice Kelly and Lilly Couturier, and of course their coaches Tom Elwood and Noel Stapleton. Also, thanks to Club captain Mike Gaffney for guiding the club to this great honor.

We'll keep ye updated on further updates over coming weeks

We're super excited to announce another collaboration with Get Going Get Rowing this year and share our dates for our 4 Summer Camps for 2026.

They are quickly filling up, and when they're gone, they're gone..

See below for Galway camp info

https://www.getgoinggetrowing.com/galway-summer-rowing-camps-2026/?fbclid=IwVERDUASPg11leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5UKS87nGqSm3RYXNe7MB0XJZ7uzoQMyiT1EV9sdV7AGisdxYJN5MD8vSFeqg_aem_VWmuZ4vbyGZV8HgegaYJIQ

20 weeks of SUMMER ROWING CAMPS in six cities all over Ireland are available for registration NOW! Head to https://www.getgoinggetrowing.com/camps/ to learn more and book your place. See you on the water this summer!

What a great weekends rowing at Metro and Castleconnell regattas, and Master Regatta.
The weather God's behaved and races happened thick and fast in both locations.
Our J18 girls crews rowed very well in Blessington, with our J16 4+, racing in Div2 4s, were only beaten by the Queens Uni Club2 4, this winning the J16 event, and leaving other Club 4s behind them in a great row..their 2- went on to come 3rd place in Div1 2s race, beaten only by two senior crews, in another great performance. Well done crews and coaches.
In Limerick, the club recorded four great wins, in the MJ152X, MJ142X, MJ154X+ and WJ152X. And close 2nds in many in a great days racing by the purple and Amber crews. Again, well done coaches and crews.
Finally, Sunday saw the Masters take to the water, and more success for the Master 4X-, in a dominant performance. Further wins were recorded in the Masters 2X, 4X+, Mixed 4X+ and Mixed 8+.
Thanks to parents and supporters who travelled to both events, to drivers and coaches, in a tricky logistical nightmare going either side of the country. Well done all in a fantastic CLUB effort. 👏

A big weekend ahead for us...heading south and east..
Our J15/14 boys and girls athletes are heading to Castleconnell regatta tomorrow for a JAM packed day of racing, many for their first event.

Our J18/16 girls are heading east to Blessington for Metro regatta, for the first Grand League regatta, due to cancellations and bad weather. Also racing is Owen Diviney in Masters 1X.

Sunday then sees our Masters group compete at Castleconell Masters Regatta.
Many thanks to our drivers Noel, Fergus and Rory and Tribesmen for helping with 2nd trailer.
Good luck to all our super athletes who've worked hard all year for GRC...safe travelling to all...

This morning, bright n early, some of club our Masters Rowers and friends from Row To Recovery Galway ,ably assisted by brave Junior coxes, hit the waters of the Corrib in support of .. we had a great group paddling in support of this worthy cause.

A after the paddle, the team on the generously sponsored teas, coffees and treats

Thanks to all who came in and helped. Also great to see our neighbours from Tribesmen Rowing Club and Gráinne Mhaol Rowing Club on the river.

See comments for some video footage

We learned last evening of the passing of what can only be described as a Club Stalwart, Mr John Coen.

John, and his late wife Penny, were great supporters of the club, and the Galway Regatta.
You never had to ask John twice to give a hand, and was always there to muck in whenever and where ever it was required. Nothing was too big or too small for John.
An absolute gentleman to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
His beloved Conemara ponies will miss him terribly.

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

Our condolences to all John's family, friends and neighbours. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace

https://rip.ie/death-notice/john-coen-galway-newcastle-630046

Reminder May Bank Holiday Trad tomorrow 3-5pm

Reminder to all our friends and members that our Easter Sunday Trad session is on tomorrow 3-5pm...come enjoy the long weekend and relax for a few hours.