Rowing clubs join forces in celebration

Taking the train: Action from the tug-o-war

Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O'Brien, blesses the Elizabeth Rose Vincent

Rowing stalwarts Raymond Coffey, John Lyne and Michael Fleming

Heave: The fun tug-o-war was a great attraction on the day

John Beazley, who was guest speaker at Dundug Boathouse, with his family Eileen Beazley and daughters, Eimear, Roisín and Leah

Three generations of the Coffey family from Fossa, Raymond Coffey, with Alison Coffey, Fiona Coffey, David, Cathal and Conor

Muckross Rowing Club winners of the Junior Fours in 1985, from left, Anthony O'Leary, Danny Lyne, John Lyne, John Beazley and Ulick Daly

Anne Tangney holding the most valuable cup in rowing history,the Muckross Abbey Challenge Cup for Senior Sixes,with Paddy Cronin, John Cronin and Lily Cronin, Trustee of Muckross House

Mike 'Kenmare' O'Sullivan coxes, Derry Doyle with Timmy O'Shea watching on

A rich insight into the legacy of rowing was presented by Muckross Rowing Club celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elizabeth Rose Killarney Sixes racing boat and the 60th anniversary of the opening of Muckross House to the public.

The historical event involved five Killarney rowing clubs, hosted by the Trustees of Muckross House and National Parks and Wildlife Service on Sunday afternoon.

Chairman of the Trustees of Muckross House, Marcus Treacy, presenting the inaugural Elizabeth Rose Vincent Cup to the winning Dinis Cottage crew Mike ‘Kenmare’ O’Sullivan, cox, with, at back from left, John Cronin, John Beazley, Kevin Tangney, Padruig O’Sullivan, NPWS, Derry Doyle, Bill Lyne and Paschal Dower.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan

All clubs raced the Killarney Sixes racing boat – unique to the Lakes of Killarney – to honour the oldest traditional regatta in the world.

The winning crew Dinis Cottage were presented with the inaugural Elizabeth Rose Vincent Cup to remember the last private owners of Muckross House who gifted the boat to Muckross Rowing Club. It has been raced in every regatta since 1924.

Chairman of Trustee Muckross House, Marcus Treacy and Padruig O’Sullivan of the NPWS presented the inaugural Elizabeth Rose Vincent Cup to the winning crew Mike ‘Kenmare’ O’Sullivan, John Cronin, John Beazley, Kevin Tangney, Derry Doyle, Bill Lyne and Paschal Dower.

The five rowing clubs, Flesk Valley, Fossa, Muckross, St Brendan’s and Workmen’s were renamed for the day as iconic landmarks on the lakes – The Osprey, Cahernane, Innisfallen Island, Bunrower and Dinis Cottage – and all clubs mixed for extra fun.

Cillian Tangney (left) and Jake Dunlea accepting the challenge of the tug-o-war on Sunday

The enormous legacy and heritage of the rowing tradition on Lough Lein was discussed by Sean Coffey, a lifelong member and advocator of the importance of the traditional Killarney Sixes racing boat.

Paddy Cronin regaled all with stories about his time, minding the Elizabeth Rose and when the floor of the boat needed repairing, it was replaced with the finest piece of wood from the floorboards of Woolworths.

The visit to Dundag Boathouse in the morning was fascinating for all boating enthusiasts as it took the form of an open forum with John Beazley, John Lyne, Danny Lyne, Michael Fleming Snr, Sean Coffey, Padruig O’Sullivan, Paddy Cronin and Richard Leane discussing the Queen’s Barge and other boats including the first Muckross Rowing Club racing boat and the bog boat which is estimated to be over 2,000 years old.

Next year the Flesk Valley Racing Boat, The Patricia dating back to 1921, will be honoured.

KillarneyToday.com: Reach thousands of readers every day. To advertise call 064-6631281 or 087-2229761