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Draft:Killarney Regatta

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Killarney Regatta
Founded1785 (estimated); 238 years ago
No. of teams6
First winnerDrapers

The Killarney Regatta is an annual rowing event that takes place on Lough Leane in Killarney, Ireland since at least 1785. The regatta is traditionally held in June or July. Since the early 1920s,[1] the regatta has been contested by six clubs from Killarney. The current location for the regatta is O'Mahony's Point, which is the site of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. The regatta is organised by the Killarney Regatta Committee, formed by representatives from each of the six clubs.

History

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The Killarney Regatta committee launched what it stated was the 236th installment of the series in 2024.[2] Taking into account the years cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland (2020-2021) and inclement weather (2023), the 236 year streak means that the regatta has been held since at least 1785.[3][4] The 2019 regatta was billed as the 234th event.[5]

Much of the regatta's early history is unclear, including its exact foundation date. It is believed that the first regatta was won by Commercials (then known as Drapers). These early regattas, organised by St. Brendan's who were then known as Lough Lein RC, were not identical to its current form in terms of venue nor competitors.[6] Other clubs, which previously participated, include the local Royal Irish Constabulary and St. Mary's rowing clubs.[7][8]

In the early 20th century, the regatta was held off Innisfallen Island, around 1.6 kilometres from the current location at Mahoney's Point.[9] During this time period, Fossa Rowing Club competed under the name of Aghadoe.[7][10]

In 1933, the Casey brothers won the Killarney Regatta's Salter's Cup for their third consecutive win. However, as there was no 1932 event, the regatta committee argued that the 1930, 1931, and 1933 victories did not constitute three consecutive victories which were required to keep the cup in perpetuity. In the end, despite the organisers offering IR£60 for the return of the cup, the winning crew declined the offer.[11]

In 2013, crews travelled from Oxford University and Cambridge University to participate in the 228th regatta. The visiting crews were coxed by local oarsmen Mikey Joe Burns (Workmen) for Cambridge and Raymond Coffey (Fossa) for Oxford.[12] The race was ultimately won by Muckross.

Clubs

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Map
The location of the competing clubs on Lough Leane, Killarney

The 2024 regatta took place on Sunday 30 June 2024.[13] It was contested by six clubs:[9]

  • Flesk Valley (navy)
  • Fossa (red)
  • Muckross (yellow)
  • Workmen (white/red)
  • St. Brendan's (green)
  • Commercials (light blue)[14]

The boat

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The boat used in the majority of race categories in the Killarney Regatta is the 'Killarney Six' boat. Originally designed and built by Salters in Oxford, England, these wooden boats have fixed seats and wooden oars.[15]

Categories

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The modern Killarney Regatta consists of traditional "Killarney Six" races and non-traditional "Celtic One" ICRF-style coastal race categories.[3]

Category Trophy[16] 2023 winners[17] Distance (2023)
Juvenile Sixes Vincent Challenge Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Juvenile Ladies Sixes St. Finan's Hospital Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Junior Ladies Sixes Gleeson Scully Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Junior Sixes Sir Morgan O'Connell Cup Muckross 1 mile
Minor Ladies Sixes Ann Spillane Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Minor Sixes Traders Challenge Cup Muckross 1 mile
Senior Ladies Sixes Flesk Castle Challenge Cup Muckross 1 mile
U-18 Coastal Four Muckross 3/4 mile
Veteran Sixes Billy Vincent Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Veterans Ladies Sixes Donie Brosnan Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
U-18 Ladies Coastal Four Flesk Valley 3/4 mile
Senior Sixes Muckross 1 mile
U-16 Coastal Four Flesk Valley 3/4 mile
Novice Ladies Sixes Fossa 3/4 mile
U-16 Ladies Coastal Four Muckross 3/4 mile
Novice Sixes Billy Bird Memorial Cup Muckross 1 mile
U-14 Coastal Four Flesk Valley 3/4 mile
Junior Ladies Four Muckross 3/4 mile
U-14 Ladies Coastal Four Muckross 3/4 mile
Junior Fours Breen Challenge Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Senior Ladies Fours David O'Connor Memorial Cup Muckross 3/4 mile
Senior Fours Phoenix Perpetual Trophy Muckross 1 mile

References

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  1. ^ "Killarney Regatta Committee (1923) "Official Programme, Lakes of Killarney Annual Regatta", 19th July 1923". killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  2. ^ "236th Killarney Regatta launched". Killarney Advertiser. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Killarney Regatta - Irish Coastal Rowing Federation". coastalrowing.ie. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  4. ^ O'Mahony, John (2023-04-13). "Six clubs to battle it out on the lakes". KillarneyToday.com. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  5. ^ "Killarney Regatta reaches 234 not out – and there's no end in sight!". The Kerryman. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Killarney Regatta - History". killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ a b "Killarney Regatta Committee (1925) "Official Programme, Lakes of Killarney Annual Regatta", 13th August 1925". killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Killarney Regatta Committee (1913) "Killarney Lakes Grand Regatta", 1913". killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b O'Mahony, John (2024-05-28). "Stage is set for 236th annual Killarney Regatta". KillarneyToday.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  10. ^ "Killarney to celebrate 233 years of rowing". Irish Independent. 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  11. ^ "The Caseys of Sneem". Killarney Advertiser. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  12. ^ "Rivals Oxford and Cambridge row in Killarney regatta". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  13. ^ "Centenary of one of the Lakes' most-famous boats". killarneyadvertiser.ie. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Last Sunday [30 June 2024] marked the 236th running of the Killarney Regatta held at O'Mahony's Point
  14. ^ Killarney Regatta Committee, Official Programme, 226th Annual Killarney Regatta, 3 July 2011 available at: https://killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com/programmes/2011 [retrieved 01/07/2024]
  15. ^ Hickey, Donal (2013-05-01). "University teams to row in for festival". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  16. ^ "Killarney Regatta - Cups". killarneyregatta.paulogriffin.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  17. ^ O'Mahony, John (2023-06-26). "Great racing, great fun and bonny babies at the regatta". KillarneyToday.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.