‘All In A Row Charity Liffey Challenge 2023’ is coming to the capital’s River Liffey on Saturday, 2nd December, with a challenge for rowing teams to smash a 1,000km target in eight hours.
22 rowing clubs will row the challenge in skiffs, dragon boats, celtic longboats, kayaks, canoes and currachs to raise funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
The organisers are hoping to exceed last year’s target of rowing 1,000km during the event on the river, which will start from St. Patrick’s Rowing Club at the Tom Clarke Bridge (formerly the East Link Bridge) and turn at the Ha’penny Bridge, rowing back down river to St. Patrick’s Rowing Club. The challenge is being undertaken with the aim of showcasing the River Liffey as one of Dublin’s best amenities while raising funds for water-related charities, RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
The event raised €22,000 in 2022.
The event will start at 8.30 am on Saturday 2nd December, and at 1 pm, all boats will gather on the Liffey at the Sean O’Casey footbridge. A wreath-laying ceremony will take place to commemorate all those who have lost their lives through drowning.
Many Dublin rowing clubs have their home on the River Liffey and are a regular sight on the water. At the port end of the river is St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Stella Maris Rowing Club, East Wall Water Sports Group and Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. Ringsend Basin is home to the Plurabelle Paddlers (dragon boats) and the Dublin Viking Dragon boats. At the other end of the city beyond Heuston Station, there are many river rowing and kayaking clubs, including Phoenix Rowing Club. Rowing clubs from other parts of Ireland will join in this challenge to raise funds for RNLI Lifeboats and the Irish Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Competitors are asked to raise sponsorship for the event, and also for spectators and supporters, there is an idonate page for donations here
