Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
A racing boat, named in honour of Elizabeth Rose Vincent, daughter of Arthur Rose and Maud Bourn Vincent who were the last private owners of Muckross House and Estate before it was gifted to the State in 1933, will celebrate the centenary of its launch next month.
Muckross Rowing Club will host a special celebration of rowing heritage to mark the 100th anniversary of the Elizabeth Rose Killarney Six which is the oldest traditional racing boat on the Lakes of Killarney.
The unique occasion, on Sunday, September 15, will coincide with the 60th anniversary year of the opening of Muckross House to the public and will honour the legacy and heritage of rowing within the Muckross Estate.
The celebration will involve six vibrant Killarney Rowing Clubs, Commercials, Flesk Valley, Fossa, Muckross, St Brendan’s and Workmen’s.
Muckross is reputed to be the oldest rowing club in the country with anecdotal reports of competitions dating to the 19th century. The Elizabeth Rose boat was first launched in 1924 and is raced to this day at the annual Killarney Regatta.
In collaboration with the Trustees of Muckross House and National Parks and Wildlife Service, the rowing festival will take place on September 15, at Muckross Rowing Club’s old boathouse and garden quay located on the Muckross shore of Lough Lein.
As part of the occasion, the clubs of Killarney have been invited to contest the inaugural Elizabeth Rose’ Challenge which will feature the presentation of a new cup.
The programme of events will commence at 10.30am with a historical talk entitled Muckross: A Rowing History, delivered in the old boathouse at Dundag, by Seán Coffey and John Beazley who will discuss the unique heritage of boating and rowing in Muckross, recalling the visit of Queen Victoria and the Queen’s Barge to traditional lake racing boats in Muckross.
They will chart the history of the Queen’s Barge and other surviving boats.
On display will be historic Killarney Regatta silverware including the Trades Challenge Cup (1886), John McGillicuddy Cup (1893) and a 100-yea- old medal from the regatta of 1924.
The festival is open and free to all and it offers a very unique opportunity to members of the public to learn more about the special history of rowing in Muckross and Killarney.
The schedule will see the blessing of the Elizabeth Rose at 12 noon, a reunion of the Elizabeth Rose rowers with local speakers recalling the Killarney Regatta race winners in the boat from the 1920sto the 1990s.
Following the formalities, the rowing clubs of Killarney will launch their traditional Sixes from Muckross Boathouse and compete in the Elizabeth Rose Challenge.
The official race starters will be Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan and Marcus Treacy, Chairperson, Muckross House Trustees.
Onshore entertainment will include old favourites like a tug-o-war, a sack race and more.
At 2.00pm there will be a celebration of the success of Muckross rowers competing in the Home International and Coupe de la Jeunesse Regattas of 2024.
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