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Displaying items by tag: Castleconnell

#Rowing: The men’s quadruple gave four top internationals the chance to show their speed at Skibbereen Regatta. Shane O’Driscoll, Paul O’Donovan, Gary O’Donovan and Mark O’Donovan won in a very good time of six minutes 29.9 seconds. NUIG’s two women’s coxed fours were also impressive – the B crew won well from the A crew in the Division One A Final. Two junior 16 competitors from Castleconnell, Norma Silke and Lauren O’Brien, zoomed away from the rest to win the Division Two double sculls, while Lee’s senior crew took the honours in the women’s quadruple. Enniskillen’s junior 18 crew won the Division One coxed four.  

Skibbereen Grand League Regatta, National Rowing Centre, Day One (Selected Results; with Per Centage of Projected World Best Time)

Men

Eight – Division Two – A Final: 1 Queen’s (nov) 7:04.6. 3 Univ of Limerick (club two) 7:25.3, 6 Col Iognaid (jun 16) 7:40.6.

Four, coxed – Div One – A Final: 1 Enniskillen (jun 18A) 7:09.5 (82.18), 2 UCD (inter) 7:11.7 (81.78), 3 NUIG (sen) 7:12.9 (81.54). B Final: 2 NUIG (club one) 7:29.8 (78.48).

Pair – A Final: 1 Skibbereen (sen) 7:43.6 (80.46), 2 Commercial (sen) 7:50.8, 3 Enniskillen (jun 18A) 7:56.4; 4 Cork A (inter) 8:04.8 (76.95). C Final: 3 St Michael’s (club one) 8:10.1 (76.11).

Sculling,

Quadruple – Division One – A Final: 1 Skibbereen/UCD (sen) 6:29.9 (85.41), 2 Commercial (sen) 6:49.0 (81.42), 3 Shandon (jun 18A) 6:52.2 (80.79), 4 St Michael’s (club one) 7:11.0 (77.26).

Double – Div Two – A Final: 1 Castleconnell (jun 16) 8:51.7, 2 Shandon (club two) 9:17.3 (71.24). B Final: 2 Athlunkard (jun 18B) 9:57.4.

Single – A Final: 1 UCD (P O’Donovan; senior) 7:58.3 (81.78 per cent), 2 Skibbereen (G O’Donovan; sen) 8:03.4 (80.88), 3 UCD (A Goff; lightweight) 8:17.1 (78.66). B Final: 2 Skibbereen (K Mannix; intermediate) 8:21.6 (77.95); 5 Three Castles (R Quinn; jun 18A) 8:36.4 (75.71).

Women

Eight – Div Two – A Final: 1 Shandon (club two) 7:47.5; 4 NUIG (nov) 8:09.8. 5 Col Iognaid (jun 16) 8:12.8. Four, coxed – Division One – A Final: 1 NUIG B (inter) 8:03.5 (80.87),  NUIG A (inter) 8:12.6 (79.37), 3 Cork (sen) 8:18.4 (78.45); 6 UCC (club one) 8:40.7 (75.9).

Pair – A Final: 1 UCC (sen) 8:39.8 (79.06), 2 Cork (inter) 8:40.5 (78.96), 3 Fermoy (jun 18A) 8:47.1 (77.97). B Final: 3 Belfast BC (club one) 9:14.9 (74.07); 6 Cork A (jun 18A) 9:35.7 (71.39)

Sculling

Quadruple – Div One – A Final: 1 Lee (sen) 7:35.2 (80.18), 2 Fermoy, Carlow, Skibbereen, Kenmare 7:36.6 (79.94), 3 Workmans (jun 18A) 7:48.1 (77.98).

Div Two, coxed – A Final: Cork (jun 18B) 8:34.6, 2 Lee A (club two) 8:47.4, 3 Carlow (jun 16), 4 Garda (club two) 9:00.0. B Final: 2 UCD A (nov) 9:21.4.

Double – Div Two – A Final: 1 Castleconnell (jun 16) 8:51.7, 2 Shandon (club two) 9:17.3. B Final: 2 Athlunkard (jun 18B) 9:57.4.

Single – A Final: 1 Old Collegians (S Puspure; sen) 8:33.5 (82.97), 2 Killorglin (M Dukarska; sen) 8:45.0 (81.14), 3 UCD (A Crowley; inter) 9:06.8 (77.91). B Final: 3 Col Iognaid (C Nic Dhonncha; jun 18A) 9:38.1 (73.69), 4 Lee Valley (E O’Mahony; club one) 9:45.6 (72.75).

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Lukas Babac won the Dirty Dozen Challenge run by Castleconnell Boat Club, with Declan O’Connor of St Michael’s second. The Slovakian was a bronze medallist in the lightweight single sculls at the World Championships this year. Monika Dukarska of Killorglin was the top woman sculler, with Ruth Kilkenny of Castleconnell second. The final was run over six kilometres. Jim Quinlan and Clara O’Brien of Castleconnell won the junior 18 competition.  

Published in Rowing

#MCIB - The dangers of boating while under the influence have been highlighted in the official report into an incident on the Shannon near Limerick city earlier this year.

One man died and three others were hospitalised after their boat capsized north-east of Limerick city in the early hours of Thursday 4 February, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The official report into the incident by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has found that the four men, none of whom had any boating experience, were under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when they took the boat from Castleconnell Boat Club shortly before 4am.

The small aluminium boat had its drain plug removed, as is standard when storing such boats ashore, and quickly began taking on water as the four men paddled to an area known as the Gap of the Dam, where the river narrows, and into a torrent fed by heavy rainfall in the previous fortnight.

Losing control of the boat as they guided it to trees on a spit of land in the river, it grounded on submerged rocks and capsized, throwing all four men into the water. None were wearing lifejackets.

One man caught his leg under the capsized boat, another was swept away while attempting to lift the boat off his friend, and a third became entangled in undergrowth after losing his footing, while the fourth managed to contact emergency services with his mobile phone after several attempts.

Gardaí and teams from the Limerick Fire Service and Killaloe Coast Guard arrived between 4:35am and 4:45am but faced great difficulty mounting a rescue attempt due to the fast-flowing water and low light conditions, though all four were recovered by 7am.

Two firemen were commended by the MCIB for their courage in staying in the water for over two hours to assist the man trapped in undergrowth, though he was unresponsive when finally recovered from the water and later pronounced dead due to drowning at Limerick University Hospital.

Impaired judgement due to drugs and/or drink taken over a number of hours was cited as the main factor in the tragedy by the MCIB, explaining the men’s recklessness in taking out a boat in darkness with no experience and lacking safety gear.

The board recommends the issue of a Marine Notice reminding the public of the dangers of operating any water craft under the influence.

The full report from the MCIB is available to download below.

Published in MCIB

Castleconnell Boat Club has released a statement regarding the capsize on the Shannon:

Early this morning (Thursday 4th February) Castleconnell Boat Club was informed that a number of individuals had entered the club grounds at World’s End at approximately 4am. The club was only recently accessible after weeks of total flooding, and much of the surrounding area had been under water, or damaged. Four men removed one of the club safety launches, which was without an engine, and put it on the water.

With flooding still an issue the water was very high, and the water extremely fast. We have been told that the men got into difficulty very quickly, and we believe they capsized nearby. Early news reports say that that emergency services spent several hours rescuing them and that they are being treated in Limerick Hospital.

Safety is always the top of CCBC agenda and the thoughts of anyone on such dangerous water especially at that time of night, and without means to propel the boat is frightening in the extreme. No members have been permitted on the water for over two months, due to safety concerns.

The dangers of water cannot be over emphasised and we commend the bravery and the professionalism of the Coast Guard, and the Emergency Services.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with the individuals and their families at this terrible time.

Yours in rowing,

Francis Moloney

Club President CCBC

Published in News Update

#Rowing: The fastest crew at the Castleconnell head of the river on Saturday was the composite men’s senior eight of the host club and the University of Limerick, who set a time of 10 minutes and 25 seconds. The fastest women’s crew, Castleconnell’s intermediate eight, came home 18th overall in a big field.

Castleconnell Head of the River, Saturday (Selected Results):

Overall: 1 Castleconnell/Univ of Limerick men’s senior eight 10:25, 2 Castleconnell men’s jun 18A quadruple 10:48, 3 Muckross men’s masters eight 11:03, 4 St Michael’s men’s senior four 11:04, 5 St Michael’s men’s masters eight 11:04, 6 Castleconnell/Killorglin men’s senior double sculls 11:08; 18 Castleconnell women’s inter eight 11:47.

Men

Eight – Intermediate: Shannon 12:04. Masters: Muckross A 11:03.

Four – Inter, coxed: Shannon A 11:25. Jun 18A, coxed: Waterford 11:52.

Pair – Senior: St Michael’s B 11:53. Jun 18A: Col Iognaid 12:55.

Sculling, Quadruple – Jun 18A: Castleconnell 10:48. Jun 16, coxed: Col Iognaid 11:37.

 Double – Senior: Castleconnell, Killorglin 11:08. Inter: Castleconnell B 11:10. Junn 18A: Castleconnell A 11:33. Jun 16: St Michael’s 12:14.

Single – Senior: 1 D O’Connor 11:55. Inter: A Mozdzer 12:46. Novice: D O’Hare 13:25. Under-23: D Lynch 12:39. Jun 18A: A O’Connor 12:22. Jun 16: M Dundon 13:00. Masters: S McDonnell 13:22.

Women

Eight – Inter: Castleconnell 11:47. Novice: Univ of Limerick A 14:38.

Four – Senior: UCD 12:07.

Pair – Jun 18A: Col Iognaid B 14:32.

Sculling

Quadruple – Novice, coxed: St Brendan’s A 13:30. Jun 16, coxed: Col Iognaid 13:04. 

Double – Inter: Castleconnell 13:54. Jun 18A: St Michael’s 13:10. Jun 16: Col Iognaid 14:38. 

Single – Inter: R Kilkenny 14:16. Masters: N McCarthy 15:58. Novice: S Slattery 14:43. Jun 18A: G O’Brien 14:31. Jun 16: C O’Brien 14:18.

Published in Rowing
#RowingCastleconnell: The fastest crew of the day at the Castleconnell Head of the River was the Castleconnell/Clonmel composite quadruple of David Quinlan, Alan Prendegast, Adrian Sheehan and Stewart Shannon. St Joeeph's won the boy's quad. The junior eight from St Michael’s posted the fastest time in this class. David O’Malley, Eoghan Whittle and Conor Carmody were among the junior scullers who had good results, and Presentation had the strongest junior pair of the day. Conditions were challenging, with strong head winds during the day and some showers in the late morning.
Crew NumberEvent Team NameStartFinishTime 
257mens senior 4X- Castleconnell BC A - Castleconnell BC/Clonmel RC 3:14:343:25:240:10:50 
224mens J18A 4X- St. Josephs College RC 4:31:014:41:530:10:52 
259mens senior 4X- Shannon RC - Shannon RC/University of Limerick RC 5:06:285:17:390:11:11 
235mens masters 8+ Shannon RC A (d 395)2:12:162:23:410:11:25 
260mens senior 4X- St. Michaels Rowing Club 6:39:306:50:560:11:26 
132mens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club E4:43:414:55:090:11:28 
28mens intermediate I 4+ Presentation College RC 4:31:544:43:260:11:32 
27mens intermediate I 4+ Colaiste Iognaid RC 4:35:304:47:040:11:34 
231mens J18A 8+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 5:00:415:12:320:11:51 
174mens J16 4X+ Clonmel RC 4:00:084:12:040:11:56 
172mens J16 4X+ Carrick-on-Shannon RC 5:25:555:37:530:11:58 
227mens J18A 8+ Presentation College RC 2:51:013:03:010:12:00 
26mens intermediate I 4+ Athlunkard BC 2:59:353:11:400:12:05 
214mens J18A 2X Athlone BC 3:32:043:44:130:12:09 
251mens senior 2- St. Michaels Rowing Club B0:46:130:58:240:12:11 
254mens senior 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:07:041:19:200:12:16
255mens senior 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club B4:14:594:27:230:12:24
222mens J18A 4X- Athlunkard BC 1:27:391:40:040:12:25
267U23 (ns) mens senior 2X Castleconnell BC - Castleconnell BC/Colaiste Chiarain RC 2:52:063:04:350:12:29
117mens J15 4X+ Athlunkard BC 4:06:254:18:560:12:31
228mens J18A 8+ Presentation College RC B2:51:303:04:040:12:34
25mens intermediate I 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 3:51:144:03:520:12:38
225mens J18A 4X- St. Josephs College RC B2:05:322:18:110:12:39
212mens J18A 2- Presentation College RC 1:14:181:27:010:12:43
24mens intermediate I 2X Garda Siochana BC B3:00:243:13:110:12:47
20mens intermediate I 2X Athlone BC B2:30:072:42:560:12:49
173mens J16 4X+ Castleconnell BC 4:40:304:53:220:12:52
252mens senior 2- St. Michaels Rowing Club C3:13:463:26:390:12:53
171mens J16 4X+ Athlone BC 3:52:084:05:020:12:54
382womens J18A 8+ Shannon RC 0:37:060:50:000:12:54
237mens masters 8+ St. Michaels Rowing Club (d 431)2:38:472:51:440:12:57
202mens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (O'Malley) 2:41:392:54:420:13:03 
122mens J15 4X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC C6:52:247:05:300:13:06 
116mens J15 4X+ Athlone BC 4:33:024:46:100:13:08 
215mens J18A 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC 6:41:466:54:550:13:09 
195mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC A (Fallon) 2:17:242:30:350:13:11 
209mens J18A 2- Clonmel RC 1:20:051:33:170:13:12 
15mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club E (O'Connor)3:47:374:00:490:13:12 
111mens J15 2X Killorglin RC 0:38:170:51:300:13:13 
23mens intermediate I 2X Garda Siochana BC 2:13:532:27:100:13:17 
245mens novice 4+ University of Limerick RC 3:02:173:15:340:13:17 
161mens J16 2X Castleconnell BC A 4:20:364:33:540:13:18 
210mens J18A 2- Colaiste Iognaid RC 2:01:562:15:160:13:20 
256mens senior 2X University of Limerick RC 3:03:583:17:190:13:21 
378womens J18A 4X- Castleconnell BC 4:15:234:28:450:13:22raced as 2x
124mens J15 4X+ Killorglin RC 2:02:402:16:040:13:24 
9mens intermediate I 1X NUI Galway BC (Breen)4:03:214:16:500:13:29 
164mens J16 2X Clonmel RC 5:13:095:26:410:13:32
265U23 (ns) mens lightweight 1X Castleconnell BC (Quinlan)0:51:531:05:260:13:33
180mens J16 8+ Presentation College RC 3:41:373:55:120:13:35
162mens J16 2X Castleconnell BC B3:34:083:47:440:13:36
185mens J18A 1X Athlunkard BC A (Gallagher) 4:44:224:57:580:13:36
187mens J18A 1X Castleconnell BC (Whittle)0:35:030:48:400:13:37
399womens senior 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 3:07:253:21:050:13:40
114mens J15 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club B3:42:583:56:380:13:40
107mens J15 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC B5:01:205:15:000:13:40
126mens J15 4X+ Presentation College RC 5:22:205:36:000:13:40
266U23 (ns) mens senior 1X Castleconnell BC (Sheehan)0:51:331:05:170:13:44
379womens J18A 4X- Colaiste Iognaid RC 2:08:272:22:110:13:44
223mens J18A 4X- Shannon RC 6:53:087:06:540:13:46
194mens J18A 1X Shannon RC D (Carmody)1:11:351:25:230:13:48
100mens J15 2X Athlunkard BC 1:45:361:59:240:13:48
211mens J18A 2- Colaiste Iognaid RC B1:55:572:09:450:13:48
165mens J16 2X Colaiste Chiarain RC 1:22:481:36:370:13:49
69mens J14 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:52:192:06:080:13:49
16mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club F (O'Connor)1:12:281:26:180:13:50
1mens intermediate I 1X Athlone BC A (Molloy) 0:55:481:09:400:13:52
246mens senior 1X Clonmel RC (Prendergast)0:52:131:06:070:13:54
197mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC C (Killeen)1:52:472:06:410:13:54
7mens intermediate I 1X Garda Siochana BC C (Murphy)4:25:434:39:410:13:58
248mens senior 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (Waldron)0:36:060:50:040:13:58
113mens J15 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 4:33:584:47:560:13:58
233mens masters 1X Shannon RC (O'Callaghan) (b 38)6:58:417:12:400:13:59
398womens senior 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Clavin)3:36:403:50:400:14:00
403mens J14 8X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC - invitation3:35:583:49:590:14:01
220mens J18A 2X Tralee RC 3:31:123:45:140:14:02
207mens J18A 1X Tralee RC C (Walsh)4:24:344:38:370:14:03
5mens intermediate I 1X Garda Siochana BC A (Kelly) 1:14:501:28:550:14:05
128mens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:02:181:16:240:14:06
53mens J14 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club C4:26:164:40:230:14:07
178mens J16 4X+ St. Josephs College RC 3:48:214:02:280:14:07
182mens J18A 1X Athlone BC A (Egan) 1:30:071:44:140:14:07
119mens J15 4X+ Clonmel RC 2:58:403:12:470:14:07
109mens J15 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC D4:27:534:42:010:14:08
238mens novice 1X Athlone BC (Munnelly)0:50:391:04:500:14:11
13mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Quinn)0:40:030:54:160:14:13
104mens J15 2X Clonmel RC 1:22:131:36:260:14:13
348womens J16 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 4:10:184:24:310:14:13
138mens J16 1X Clonmel RC A (Anderson) 1:10:111:24:260:14:15
146mens J16 1X St. Josephs College RC A (Dillon) 2:34:392:48:560:14:17
273womens intermediate I 2- University of Limerick RC 0:41:490:56:060:14:17
18mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club H (Quinn)3:37:373:51:540:14:17
339womens J16 2X Carrick-on-Shannon RC 4:44:474:59:060:14:19
14mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club D (O'Connor)0:53:131:07:330:14:20
184mens J18A 1X Athlone BC C (Hannon)4:21:424:36:020:14:20
11mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (O'Brien) 0:30:250:44:460:14:21
373womens J18A 2X Carrick-on-Shannon RC 5:13:455:28:060:14:21
108mens J15 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC C5:08:185:22:400:14:22
137mens J16 1X Castleconnell BC B (Hogan)1:26:151:40:370:14:22
189mens J18A 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC (Coyne)1:18:011:32:240:14:23
135mens J16 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Hartigan)3:25:293:39:540:14:25
219mens J18A 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 0:58:221:12:480:14:26
106mens J15 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC 1:44:581:59:260:14:28
76mens J15 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC A (Mc Cabe) 3:29:293:43:580:14:29
113mens J15 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 3:43:433:58:120:14:29
351womens J16 8+ Shannon RC 3:27:193:41:500:14:31
6mens intermediate I 1X Garda Siochana BC B (MacEoin)1:15:191:29:500:14:31
229mens J18A 8+ Shannon RC 2:59:133:13:450:14:32
213mens J18A 2- St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:35:581:50:300:14:32
196mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC B (Bennett)3:00:483:15:200:14:32
62mens J14 4X+ Presentation College RC 4:25:124:39:450:14:33
186mens J18A 1X Athlunkard BC B (Meehan)3:20:133:34:470:14:34
191mens J18A 1X Shannon RC A (Browne) 1:12:031:26:390:14:36
188mens J18A 1X Clonmel RC (Channon)0:52:451:07:210:14:36
3mens intermediate I 1X Athlunkard BC (Devereux)1:08:591:23:360:14:37
393womens novice 8+ Garda Siochana BC 4:23:114:37:500:14:39
319womens J15 4X+ Clonmel RC 1:19:361:34:190:14:43
203mens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (O'Connor)0:25:560:40:410:14:45
183mens J18A 1X Athlone BC B (Hannon)0:55:141:09:590:14:45
134mens J16 1X Cappoquin RC (Buckley)3:00:133:14:590:14:46
169mens J16 2X Presentation College RC 5:11:565:26:420:14:46
4mens intermediate I 1X Clonmel RC (Murphy)0:51:031:05:500:14:47
150mens J16 1X St. Josephs College RC E (O'Rourke)4:48:165:03:050:14:49
94mens J15 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (Mc Keon)5:28:205:43:100:14:50
396womens senior 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (O'Sullivan) 0:36:260:51:160:14:50
115mens J15 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club C3:45:154:00:050:14:50
95mens J15 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Mc Keon)5:30:275:45:180:14:51
301womens J14 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 5:47:356:02:280:14:53
129mens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club B1:09:491:24:420:14:53
239mens novice 1X Cappoquin RC A (Aherne) 4:01:294:16:240:14:55
302womens J14 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club B3:23:423:38:380:14:56
312womens J15 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC 4:16:114:31:070:14:56
121mens J15 4X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC B7:07:207:22:160:14:56
140mens J16 1X Colaiste Chiarain RC A (Banahan) 3:09:453:24:440:14:59
86mens J15 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC B (Convery)1:23:461:38:460:15:00
77mens J15 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Jordan)3:28:513:43:520:15:01
340womens J16 2X Shannon RC 5:09:385:24:400:15:02
376womens J18A 2X Colaiste Iognaid RC 3:58:154:13:180:15:03
366womens J18A 2- Colaiste Iognaid RC 4:23:514:38:540:15:03
50mens J14 2X Presentation College RC 3:03:423:18:450:15:03
269womens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club (O'Sullivan)1:19:091:34:150:15:06
84mens J15 1X Clonmel RC (Britton)2:20:212:35:280:15:07
377womens J18A 4X- Athlunkard BC 0:49:361:04:430:15:07
175mens J16 4X+ Presentation College RC 5:10:375:25:450:15:08
2mens intermediate I 1X Athlone BC C (Noonan)0:48:461:03:550:15:09
10mens intermediate I 1X Shannon RC (Blackwell)3:01:583:17:070:15:09
142mens J16 1X Colaiste Chiarain RC C (Hogan)0:31:550:47:050:15:10
56mens J14 4X+ Castleconnell BC 2:15:372:30:470:15:10
131mens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club D2:39:502:55:010:15:11
130mens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club C3:55:264:10:370:15:11
21mens intermediate I 2X Athlunkard BC 1:00:181:15:310:15:13
241mens novice 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Lavin)3:30:503:46:040:15:14
247mens senior 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (Lynch) 0:26:440:41:590:15:15
398womens senior 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Clavin)0:27:110:42:290:15:18
236mens masters 8+ Shannon RC B - Clonmel RC/Shannon RC (b 323)0:56:511:12:100:15:19
363womens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (Madden) 4:45:255:00:440:15:19
97mens J15 2X Athlone BC B3:06:013:21:220:15:21
12mens intermediate I 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (Murphy)1:04:091:19:310:15:22
141mens J16 1X Colaiste Chiarain RC B (Bayle)3:49:334:04:570:15:24
316womens J14 4X+ Athlone BC 1:54:542:10:190:15:25
206mens J18A 1X Tralee RC B (Pope)2:07:292:22:540:15:25
384womens masters 8+ Shannon RC B (b 289)2:43:132:58:380:15:25
102mens J15 2X Castleconnell BC C4:32:204:47:450:15:25
154mens J16 1X St. Josephs College RC I (Moran)5:02:005:17:260:15:26
160mens J16 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (Oyewo)2:35:142:50:400:15:26
240mens novice 1X Cappoquin RC B (Povey)2:58:203:13:470:15:27
139mens J16 1X Clonmel RC B (Anderson)1:06:071:21:350:15:28
326womens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club B5:02:545:18:240:15:30
96mens J15 2X Athlone BC 3:03:243:18:550:15:31
68mens J14 4X+ St. Josephs College RC C5:05:065:20:390:15:33
360womens J18A 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC B (Cushen)3:53:344:09:070:15:33
309womens J15 2X Athlone BC B4:27:214:42:550:15:34
93mens J15 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (Lane) 5:29:365:45:100:15:34
136mens J16 1X Castleconnell BC A (Meehan) 1:43:411:59:160:15:35
364womens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club B (Klimek)0:37:440:53:190:15:35
365womens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Sherin)1:44:091:59:490:15:40
208mens J18A 1X Tralee RC D (Stuart)3:30:163:45:570:15:41
272womens intermediate I 2- Shannon RC 3:08:373:24:190:15:42
308womens J15 2X Athlone BC 4:26:544:42:360:15:42
350womens J16 8+ Athlunkard BC 1:50:252:06:100:15:45
159mens J16 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club A (Cowton) 1:13:041:28:500:15:46
359womens J18A 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC A (Cushen) 1:26:441:42:300:15:46
311womens J15 2X Clonmel RC 3:17:283:33:150:15:47
325womens J15 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club 5:57:236:13:100:15:47
151mens J16 1X St. Josephs College RC F (Cusack)5:14:365:30:230:15:47
127mens J15 4X+ Presentation College RC B4:21:174:37:060:15:49
85mens J15 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC A (Buckley) 2:18:222:34:110:15:49
54mens J14 4X+ Athlone BC 4:42:544:58:430:15:49
338womens J16 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club (Murphy)0:31:210:47:130:15:52
274womens intermediate I 2X Cappoquin RC 3:10:483:26:430:15:55
335womens J16 1X Shannon RC A (Coll) 3:33:023:48:570:15:55
200mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC F (Gavin-Munnelly)2:17:532:33:490:15:56
375womens J18A 2X Castleconnell BC B1:17:391:33:370:15:58
324womens J15 4X+ Shannon RC 5:08:585:24:590:16:01
355womens J18A 1X Castleconnell BC B (Griffin)0:44:251:00:290:16:04
310womens J15 2X Castleconnell BC 3:33:303:49:370:16:07
199mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC E (Gavin-Munnelly)1:51:072:07:140:16:07
286womens J14 2X Colaiste Chiarain RC 2:50:233:06:320:16:09
179mens J16 4X+ St. Josephs College RC B3:01:373:17:460:16:09
70mens J14 4X+ St. Michaels Rowing Club B3:05:143:21:230:16:09
170mens J16 2X Presentation College RC B5:11:255:27:440:16:19
49mens J14 2X Killorglin RC 1:58:202:14:390:16:19
353womens J18A 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Mc Cabe)2:47:543:04:200:16:26
371womens J18A 2X Athlunkard BC 2:46:543:03:220:16:28
291womens J14 4X+ Athlone BC D3:11:293:27:570:16:28
133mens J16 1X Athlone BC (Temple)0:57:301:13:590:16:29
55mens J14 4X+ Athlone BC B5:27:405:44:100:16:30
387womens novice 1X Shannon RC A (Lane) 1:41:421:58:130:16:31
198mens J18A 1X St. Josephs College RC D (Jones)2:41:092:57:400:16:31
341womens J16 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:23:201:39:520:16:32
268womens intermediate I 1X Garda Siochana BC (Holden)2:40:172:56:520:16:35
293womens J14 4X+ Clonmel RC 1:17:201:33:550:16:35
330womens J16 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Kelly)2:48:483:05:250:16:37
354womens J18A 1X Castleconnell BC A (Silke) 0:54:141:10:520:16:38
314womens J15 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club 1:07:361:24:170:16:41
289womens J15 4X+ Athlone BC B3:56:574:13:380:16:41
318womens J15 4X+ Castleconnell BC 1:33:121:49:550:16:43
295womens J14 4X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC 2:21:302:38:130:16:43
294womens J14 4X+ Colaiste Chiarain RC 0:40:460:57:300:16:44
44mens J14 2X Castleconnell BC 5:03:285:20:130:16:45
342womens J16 2X St. Michaels Rowing Club B1:01:241:18:110:16:47
297womens J14 4X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC C4:04:134:21:060:16:53
388womens novice 1X Shannon RC B (Ryan)0:54:531:11:480:16:55
91mens J15 1X Shannon RC A (Kerley) 1:31:301:48:250:16:55
112mens J15 2X Presentation College RC 2:55:013:11:560:16:55
271womens intermediate I 1X University of Limerick RC B (Green)0:46:491:03:460:16:57
88mens J15 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC D (O’halloran3:18:453:35:430:16:58
370womens J18A 2X Athlone BC 1:08:331:25:320:16:59
31mens J14 1X Athlone BC B (Byrne)2:13:212:30:210:17:00
385womens novice 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC (Mulvey)2:48:173:05:180:17:01
278womens J14 1X Colaiste Chiarain RC A (Hogan) 0:39:280:56:300:17:02
345womens J16 4X+ Castleconnell BC B3:03:043:20:080:17:04
79mens J15 1X Castleconnell BC B (Silke)1:03:411:20:480:17:07
277womens J14 1X Clonmel RC (Sutcliffe)3:17:053:34:130:17:08
390womens novice 2X Athlunkard BC 3:18:053:35:140:17:09
87mens J15 1X Colaiste Iognaid RC C (Coen)3:19:273:36:360:17:09
268womens intermediate I 1X Garda Siochana BC (Holden)1:05:351:22:470:17:12
287womens J14 2X Shannon RC 1:16:221:33:360:17:14
205mens J18A 1X Tralee RC A (Hanafin) 2:01:232:18:380:17:15
391womens novice 4+ Garda Siochana BC 1:38:151:55:300:17:15raced as 4x+
285womens J14 2X Castleconnell BC B2:45:283:02:440:17:16 
66mens J14 4X+ St. Josephs College RC 3:09:183:26:340:17:16 
357womens J18A 1X Castleconnell BC D (Cunningham)1:51:272:08:460:17:19 
105mens J15 2X Clonmel RC B1:40:321:57:520:17:20 
317womens J15 4X+ Athlunkard BC 3:21:093:38:310:17:22 
80mens J15 1X Castleconnell BC C (Brazier Smalle)1:03:101:20:350:17:25 
402womens J14 8X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC B - invitation5:10:165:27:430:17:27 
346womens J16 4X+ Clonmel RC 2:11:052:28:340:17:29 
368womens J18A 2- Shannon RC A 2:19:282:36:570:17:29 
327womens J16 1X Athlunkard BC (Reale)4:28:194:45:500:17:31 
404womens J15 1x W15 1x Athlone inv1:42:262:00:020:17:36 
336womens J16 1X Shannon RC B (Davis)3:38:403:56:170:17:37 
328womens J16 1X Cappoquin RC (Laughlin)3:15:303:33:080:17:38 
390womens novice 2X Athlunkard BC 2:27:362:45:150:17:39 
296womens J14 4X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC B3:15:093:32:480:17:39 
329womens J16 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC A (Gannon) 2:46:183:03:570:17:39 
204mens J18A 1X St. Michaels Rowing Club C (Doev)2:47:353:05:170:17:42 
292womens J14 4X+ Castleconnell BC 3:49:054:06:490:17:44 
38mens J14 1X Killorglin RC A (Houlihan) 0:38:540:56:380:17:44 
290womens J14 4X+ Athlone BC C2:06:462:24:380:17:52 
347womens J16 4X+ Clonmel RC B2:11:352:29:340:17:59 
63mens J14 4X+ Presentation College RC B2:56:413:14:410:18:00 
51mens J14 2X Shannon RC 2:00:102:18:150:18:05 
64mens J14 4X+ Shannon RC 6:01:026:19:100:18:08 
401womens J14 8X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC - invitation4:19:534:38:030:18:10 
386womens novice 1X Killorglin RC (Murphy)0:33:460:51:560:18:10 
391womens novice 4+ Garda Siochana BC 2:25:322:43:460:18:14raced as 4x+
103mens J15 2X Castleconnell BC D1:53:302:11:490:18:19 
343womens J16 4X+ Athlunkard BC 4:58:075:16:270:18:20 
82mens J15 1X Castleconnell BC E (Nash)1:20:361:39:010:18:25 
258mens senior 4X- Castleconnell BC B2:57:453:16:190:18:34 
394womens novice 8+ University of Limerick RC 2:29:022:47:410:18:39
358womens J18A 1X Castleconnell BC E (O'Neill)2:55:363:14:150:18:39
67mens J14 4X+ St. Josephs College RC B4:09:224:28:110:18:49
307womens J15 1X Tralee RC (Mc Elligott)1:56:382:15:290:18:51
39mens J14 1X Killorglin RC B (Murphy)0:32:470:51:400:18:53
303womens J15 1X Cappoquin RC (Murphy)3:12:193:31:170:18:58
282womens J14 2X Athlone BC 1:11:041:30:040:19:00
193mens J18A 1X Shannon RC C (Clancy)2:00:472:20:100:19:23
81mens J15 1X Castleconnell BC D (Mc Keon)1:18:321:37:590:19:27
57mens J14 4X+ Clonmel RC 3:05:183:24:490:19:31
45mens J14 2X Clonmel RC 2:33:012:52:400:19:39
275womens J14 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC A (Duggan) 2:49:463:09:270:19:41
29mens intermediate I 4+ Presentation College RC B5:19:215:39:070:19:46
276womens J14 1X Carrick-on-Shannon RC B (Mulvey)2:45:513:05:400:19:49
283womens J14 2X Carrick-on-Shannon RC 5:07:435:27:370:19:54
284womens J14 2X Castleconnell BC 2:07:532:27:560:20:03
37mens J14 1X Clonmel RC C (Mc Kenna)1:21:151:41:260:20:11
288womens J14 4X+ Athlone BC 1:15:521:36:090:20:17
36mens J14 1X Clonmel RC B (Bates)1:16:501:37:080:20:18
35mens J14 1X Clonmel RC A (0'Donnell) 1:21:481:42:110:20:23
315womens J15 2X Tralee RC 1:57:202:19:240:22:04
401womens J14 8X+ Colaiste Iognaid RC - invitation2:44:283:06:500:22:22
305womens J15 1X Castleconnell BC B (Barton)0:59:361:22:150:22:39
64mens J14 4X+ Shannon RC 4:11:164:34:050:22:49
149mens J16 1X St. Josephs College RC D (Moran)5:12:260:00:00dnf
Published in Rowing

# ROWING: St Joseph’s of Galway had a good day at the Castleconnell/Bulls and Bears head of the river on the Shannon on Saturday. The Junior 18A eight from the school was the fastest crew and the Junior 18A quadruple also won.

Castleconnell Bulls and Bears Head of the River, Saturday (Selected Results)

Men

Eight – Junior 18A: 1 St Joseph’s 10:06, 2 St Joseph’s B 10:14, 3 Col Iognaid 10:45. Junior 16: 1 St Joseph’s 10:56, 2 St Joseph’s B 11:06, 3 Col Iognaid 11:13. Masters: Shannon C 11:42.

Four – Intermediate One, Coxed: 1 Col Iognaid 11:29, 2 Fossa 11:34, 3 St Michael’s 11:52.

Pair – Senior: 1 St Michael’s G 11:15, 2 St Michael’s E 11:19, 3 Castleconnell/Clonmel 11:36. Junior 18A: 1 Clonmel 11:59, 2 Presentation Col 12:45, 3 Commercial 12:54.

Sculling, Quadruple, coxed – Junior 18A: 1 St Joseph’s 10:14, 2 Athlone 10:48, 3 Presentation Col 10:58. Junior 16: 1 Commercial 11:24, 2 Clonmel 11:27, 3 Presentation Col 11:39.

Double – Intermediate: 1 St Michael’s 11:13, 2 Garda 11:28, 3 St Michael’s B 11:40. Junior 18A: 1 Commercial B 12:13, 2 Commercial A 12:18, 3 Presentation Col B 12:28. Junior 16: 1 Castleconnell 11:57, 2 Clonmel 12:05, Athlone 12:05.

Single – Senior: 1 Commercial (D’Estelle Roe) 12:12, 2 Commercial (Gleeson) 12:32, 3 Offaly (O’Donoghue) 13:15. Intermediate One: 1 St Michael’s (Lazda) 12:29, 2 Commercial (Yeomans) 12:30, 3 University of Limerick (Haugh) 12:34. Novice: 1 Clonmel (Murphy) 12:44, 2 Clonmel (Chadfield) 12:57, 3 Offaly (Gannon) 13:52. Junior 18A: 1 Athlone (Molloy) 12:16, 2 Commercial (Yeomans) 12:31, 3 Commercial (Yeomans) 12:37, 4 St Michael’s (Despard) 12:37. Masters: Offaly (Hussey) 13:17. Junior 16: 1 St Michael’s (O’Malley) 12:05, 2 Neptune (Flynn) 12:45, 3 St Michael’s (O’Connor) 12:49.

Women

Eight – Novice: 1 Commercial 13:29, 2 Univ of Limerick B 14:43. Junior 18A: 1 Shannon 11:36, 2 Commercial 13:11, 3 Castleconnell 13:29. Junior 16: 1 Shannon 12:40, 2 Shannon B 12:51, 3 Commercial 15:39.

Four – Novice, coxed: 1 Commercial 12:52, 2 Athlone 13:32, 3 Commercial B 16:20.

Pair – Junior: Commercial 14:45.

Sculling

Junior 16, coxed: 1 St Michael’s B 12:58, 2 Col Iognaid 13:18, 3 St Michael’s F 13:19.

Double – Junior 18A: 1 St Michael’s E 13:07, 2 Commercial 13:16, 3 Clonmel 13:43. Junior 16: 1 Col Iognaid 13:37, 2 Tralee B 13:57, 3 Offaly 14:34.

Single – Intermediate: 1 Commercial (Foley) 13:39, 2 St Michael’s (McEvoy) 13:48, 3 Garda (Holden) 14:38. Novice: 1 Commercial (Foley) 13:58, 2 Shannon (Ryan) 14:27, 3 Univ of Limerick (O’Sullivan) 14:56. Junior 18A: 1 Commercial (Rodger) 14:14, 2 St Michael’s B (Sheehan) 14:36, 3 Castleconnell (Donegan) 14:42. Junior 16: 1 Commercial (Lambe) 14:00, 2 St Michael’s (Murphy) 14:05, 3 Castleconnell (Griffin) 14:31.

Published in Rowing

Two foreign oarsmen who are studying at the University of Limerick, Rob Weitemeyer from Canada (a double World Championship medallist) and Christian Vennemann from Germany, teamed up with rowers from University of Limerick, Athlone and Neptune to win the Bulls and Bears event at the Castleconnell Head of the River today at O'Brien's Bridge.

The men’s senior pair was won by the Garda/University of Limerick crew of Niall Kenny and James Brynn and UL/Garda also won the senior fours.

Castleconnell Head of the River (List of Winners; Times to Be Finalised)
mens intermediate I 1X     University of Limerick RC B (Sheehan)  
mens intermediate I 2-     Neptune RC    0:12:59
mens intermediate I 2X     Clonmel RC    0:12:10
mens intermediate I 4+     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:11:42
mens J14 1X     Colaiste Chiarain RC B (O'Connor)   
mens J14 2X     Athlone BC   
mens J14 4X+     Castleconnell BC C   
mens J16 1X     Colaiste Iognaid RC A (Mc Carthy)    0:13:51
mens J16 2X     Colaiste Iognaid RC    0:13:00
mens J16 4X+     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:12:04
mens J16 8+     Clonmel RC    0:11:58
mens J18A 1X     Athlone BC B (Molloy)    0:13:23
mens J18A 2-     Castleconnell BC    0:13:10
mens J18A 2X     St. Michaels Rowing Club D   
mens J18A 4X-     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:11:30
mens J18A 8+     Fermoy RC    0:11:08
mens masters 8+     St. Michaels Rowing Club (e 433)    0:12:28
mens novice 1X     Clonmel RC A (Allen)  
mens senior 2-     University of Limerick RC E - Garda Siochana BC/University of Limerick RC    0:11:04
mens senior 2X     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:11:53
mens senior 4-     University of Limerick RC - Garda Siochana BC/University of Limerick RC    0:11:11
mens senior 8+     St. Michaels Rowing Club    
U23 (ns) mens senior 1X     Castleconnell BC (O'Connor)    
womens intermediate I 1X     Garda Siochana BC A (Holden)    
womens intermediate I 2X     University of Limerick RC    0:14:13
womens intermediate I 4+     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:12:58
womens J14 1X     Shannon RC A (Nash)    0:25:15
womens J14 2X     Colaiste Chiarain RC   
womens J14 4X+     Shannon RC    0:16:12
womens J16 1X     Castleconnell BC B (Russell)   
womens J16 2X     Castleconnell BC D   
womens J16 4X+     Shannon RC    0:13:54
womens J16 8+     Shannon RC    0:14:03
womens J18A 1X     St. Michaels Rowing Club A (Sherin)    0:13:10
womens J18A 2X     Castleconnell BC   
womens J18A 4X-     St. Michaels Rowing Club    0:12:56
womens J18A 8+     Clonmel RC    0:15:32
womens novice 1X     Castleconnell BC (Mc Devitt)   
womens novice 8+     Clonmel RC    0:13:33
womens senior 1X     University of Limerick RC (O'Sullivan)    0:15:19
womens senior 2X     University of Limerick RC   
womens senior 4X-     University of Limerick RC - Lee RC/University of Limerick RC    0:12:55
Womens Novice 4X+     Athlunkard BC    0:15:01
Womens Novice 4X    Garda BC    0:14:24
mens J16 4X+     Clonmel RC    0:12:50

Published in Rowing
Page 2 of 2

Ireland's offshore islands

Around 30 of Ireland's offshore islands are inhabited and hold a wealth of cultural heritage.

A central Government objective is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands.

Irish offshore islands FAQs

Technically, it is Ireland itself, as the third largest island in Europe.

Ireland is surrounded by approximately 80 islands of significant size, of which only about 20 are inhabited.

Achill island is the largest of the Irish isles with a coastline of almost 80 miles and has a population of 2,569.

The smallest inhabited offshore island is Inishfree, off Donegal.

The total voting population in the Republic's inhabited islands is just over 2,600 people, according to the Department of Housing.

Starting with west Cork, and giving voting register numbers as of 2020, here you go - Bere island (177), Cape Clear island (131),Dursey island (6), Hare island (29), Whiddy island (26), Long island, Schull (16), Sherkin island (95). The Galway islands are Inis Mór (675), Inis Meáin (148), Inis Oírr (210), Inishbofin (183). The Donegal islands are Arranmore (513), Gola (30), Inishboffin (63), Inishfree (4), Tory (140). The Mayo islands, apart from Achill which is connected by a bridge, are Clare island (116), Inishbiggle (25) and Inishturk (52).

No, the Gaeltacht islands are the Donegal islands, three of the four Galway islands (Inishbofin, like Clifden, is English-speaking primarily), and Cape Clear or Oileán Chléire in west Cork.

Lack of a pier was one of the main factors in the evacuation of a number of islands, the best known being the Blasket islands off Kerry, which were evacuated in November 1953. There are now three cottages available to rent on the Great Blasket island.

In the early 20th century, scholars visited the Great Blasket to learn Irish and to collect folklore and they encouraged the islanders to record their life stories in their native tongue. The three best known island books are An tOileánach (The Islandman) by Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig by Peig Sayers, and Fiche Blian ag Fás (Twenty Years A-Growing) by Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. Former taoiseach Charles J Haughey also kept a residence on his island, Inishvickillaune, which is one of the smaller and less accessible Blasket islands.

Charles J Haughey, as above, or late Beatle musician, John Lennon. Lennon bought Dorinish island in Clew Bay, south Mayo, in 1967 for a reported £1,700 sterling. Vendor was Westport Harbour Board which had used it for marine pilots. Lennon reportedly planned to spend his retirement there, and The Guardian newspaper quoted local estate agent Andrew Crowley as saying he was "besotted with the place by all accounts". He did lodge a planning application for a house, but never built on the 19 acres. He offered it to Sid Rawle, founder of the Digger Action Movement and known as the "King of the Hippies". Rawle and 30 others lived there until 1972 when their tents were burned by an oil lamp. Lennon and Yoko Ono visited it once more before his death in 1980. Ono sold the island for £30,000 in 1984, and it is widely reported that she donated the proceeds of the sale to an Irish orphanage

 

Yes, Rathlin island, off Co Antrim's Causeway Coast, is Ireland's most northerly inhabited island. As a special area of conservation, it is home to tens of thousands of sea birds, including puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemots. It is known for its Rathlin golden hare. It is almost famous for the fact that Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, retreated after being defeated by the English at Perth and hid in a sea cave where he was so inspired by a spider's tenacity that he returned to defeat his enemy.

No. The Aran islands have a regular ferry and plane service, with ferries from Ros-a-Mhíl, south Connemara all year round and from Doolin, Co Clare in the tourist season. The plane service flies from Indreabhán to all three islands. Inishbofin is connected by ferry from Cleggan, Co Galway, while Clare island and Inishturk are connected from Roonagh pier, outside Louisburgh. The Donegal islands of Arranmore and Tory island also have ferry services, as has Bere island, Cape Clear and Sherkin off Cork. How are the island transport services financed? The Government subsidises transport services to and from the islands. The Irish Coast Guard carries out medical evacuations, as to the RNLI lifeboats. Former Fianna Fáíl minister Éamon Ó Cuív is widely credited with improving transport services to and from offshore islands, earning his department the nickname "Craggy island".

Craggy Island is an bleak, isolated community located of the west coast, inhabited by Irish, a Chinese community and one Maori. Three priests and housekeeper Mrs Doyle live in a parochial house There is a pub, a very small golf course, a McDonald's fast food restaurant and a Chinatown... Actually, that is all fiction. Craggy island is a figment of the imagination of the Father Ted series writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, for the highly successful Channel 4 television series, and the Georgian style parochial house on the "island" is actually Glenquin House in Co Clare.

Yes, that is of the Plassey, a freighter which was washed up on Inis Oírr in bad weather in 1960.

There are some small privately owned islands,and islands like Inishlyre in Co Mayo with only a small number of residents providing their own transport. Several Connemara islands such as Turbot and Inishturk South have a growing summer population, with some residents extending their stay during Covid-19. Turbot island off Eyrephort is one such example – the island, which was first spotted by Alcock and Brown as they approached Ireland during their epic transatlantic flight in 1919, was evacuated in 1978, four years after three of its fishermen drowned on the way home from watching an All Ireland final in Clifden. However, it is slowly being repopulated

Responsibility for the islands was taking over by the Department of Rural and Community Development . It was previously with the Gaeltacht section in the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.

It is a periodic bone of contention, as Ireland does not have the same approach to its islands as Norway, which believes in right of access. However, many improvements were made during Fianna Fáíl Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív's time as minister. The Irish Island Federation, Comdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, represents island issues at national and international level.

The 12 offshore islands with registered voters have long argued that having to cast their vote early puts them at a disadvantage – especially as improved transport links mean that ballot boxes can be transported to the mainland in most weather conditions, bar the winter months. Legislation allowing them to vote on the same day as the rest of the State wasn't passed in time for the February 2020 general election.

Yes, but check tide tables ! Omey island off north Connemara is accessible at low tide and also runs a summer race meeting on the strand. In Sligo, 14 pillars mark the way to Coney island – one of several islands bearing this name off the Irish coast.

Cape Clear or Oileán Chléire is the country's most southerly inhabited island, eight miles off the west Cork coast, and within sight of the Fastnet Rock lighthouse, also known as the "teardrop of Ireland".
Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast, which has a monastic site dating from the 6th century. It is accessible by boat – prebooking essential – from Portmagee, Co Kerry. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was not open to visitors in 2020.
All islands have bird life, but puffins and gannets and kittiwakes are synonymous with Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. Rathlin island off Antrim and Cape Clear off west Cork have bird observatories. The Saltee islands off the Wexford coast are privately owned by the O'Neill family, but day visitors are permitted access to the Great Saltee during certain hours. The Saltees have gannets, gulls, puffins and Manx shearwaters.
Vikings used Dublin as a European slaving capital, and one of their bases was on Dalkey island, which can be viewed from Killiney's Vico road. Boat trips available from Coliemore harbour in Dalkey. Birdwatch Ireland has set up nestboxes here for roseate terns. Keep an eye out also for feral goats.
Plenty! There are regular boat trips in summer to Inchagoill island on Lough Corrib, while the best known Irish inshore island might be the lake isle of Innisfree on Sligo's Lough Gill, immortalised by WB Yeats in his poem of the same name. Roscommon's Lough Key has several islands, the most prominent being the privately-owned Castle Island. Trinity island is more accessible to the public - it was once occupied by Cistercian monks from Boyle Abbey.

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