Dun Laoghaire Harbour's St. Michael’s Rowing Club Regatta took place on Sunday, the 17th of July and brought together a large community of heritage skiff rowers from all along the east coast writes St. Michael’s Simone Sav
Coastal rowing at St Michael’s Rowing Club combines all the positive aspects of team sport, seamanship, fitness, competition and the great outdoors. The club caters for men, women and children with all levels of aspiration, from the recreational to the serious athlete.
Traditionally held every year at Seapoint on Dublin Bay, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday
With more than 100 crews, 17 races on the cards and participation of all age categories (from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s), the event was the largest coastal rowing regatta in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown in 2022. Traditionally held every year at Seapoint, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday. This helps keep alive the tradition of the hobblers of old. With fixed seats, wooden oars, and clinker-built boats, the sport of heritage skiff rowing differs significantly from our freshwater ‘Olympic-style’ cousins.
"Heritage rowing is a sport for all ages - from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s"
St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowers. In a thoughtful departure from the usual format, the club opted for eco-friendly wood medals. After all, heritage skiff rowing is truly a sport that leaves no trace, which draws on the savvy of wood craftsmanship, the power of the human body and the maritime knowledge to cross any waters.
St. Michael’s rowing medals were in hot dema at Seapoint
Club members were also delighted to see several elected councillors and TDs stop by or promote the event via their social media: TD Barry Ward; TD Cormac Devlin; Councilor Justin Moylan and Councillor Peter O’Brien.
St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowersd
The event was supported by local businesses: Access Hearing Centre, Dun Laoghaire; Acorn Landscaping; Ardcolts Supervalu Dun Laoghaire SC; Cafe du Journal & Bearhug Clothing, Monkstown; Cinnamon, Monkstown; Elephant & Castle, Monkstown; Georges Fish Shop, Monkstown; McKenna’s Bar; Specialist Orthodontic Practice, Glenageary; The Graduate Pub, Killiney.
The St. Michael’s Rowing Club committee, and in particular Captains Nicola Fitzgerald and Gareth Whittington, would like to thank all sponsors, supporters, club members and friends for their contribution to making the event a great success.
St. Michael’s Rowing Club was founded in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the early 1920s. Today the club consists of over 100 members, from all walks of life, with all abilities catered for, from complete beginners to experienced rowers.
Crews train Monday to Friday from March to September, from 6 pm to sundown, in traditional wooden skiffs, as well as Celtic Longboat, with an offshore boat to be added to the fleet during the 2022 season.
St. Michael’s Home Regatta results - 17th July 2022
Intermediate Ladies
1st - Fingal
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Dalkey
Junior Ladies
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Stella Maris
Junior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris
Mixed crew
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris
Senior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - St Michaels
U12 boys
1st - Wicklow
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Wicklow
U12 girls
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - St Michaels
U14 boys
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - Stella Maris
U14 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Greystones
Novice Men
1st - Fingal
2nd - Bray
3rd - Dalkey
U21s Mens race
1st - St Michaels
Senior Ladies
1st - St Michaels
2nd - Wicklow
3rd - Fingal
Intermediate Men
1st - Wicklow
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Greystones
U16 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Wicklow
U16 boys
1st - Bray
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Skerries
U18 girls
1st - Skerries
2nd - Greystones
3rd - Bray?
U18 boys
1st - Wicklow
2nd - St Michaels A
3rd - Skerries
Vets
1st - Dalkey & Bray
2nd - Dalkey
3rd - Fingal
