The 2025 Annual Boyne Boat Race, hosted by Inver Colpa Rowing Club, took place on Sunday May 4th with crews from all across the country making their way once more to the Wee County. This year the winds and tides did not co-operate however, so the club had to remove the sea stretch from Clogherhead from the race.
Thanks to the reorganisation ably led by Race Co-Ordinator Shirley Byrne, however, the race went ahead smoothly.
The new starting point at Crook Point in Mornington gave the boats the chance to pass right along the Boyne through the town of Drogheda and loop back, coinciding with the Drogheda 10K race, so while the boats rowed along the river, runners ran along it – a sight to see for the wonderful crowds along the river and across St Dominic’s bridge cheering on all the runners and rowers!
As usual, the race showcased a mixture of boats – East Coast Skiffs, St. Ayles Skiffs, All-Ireland One Design boats, Celtic Longboats, Curraghs, Fiesas and for the first time, a Pilot Gig boat all the way from Whitby in the UK!
As the sun shone on the Sunday morning, the riverside at Crook Point was a hive of activity with trailers arriving, boats unloading and rowers preparing. Inver Colpa had 3 boats competing, all with mixed crews, and were delighted to hold onto the Cassidy Cup again this year with the fastest mixed crew in a One Design boat. This year that crew was Saoirse Mallon, James McKevitt, Hannah Woods, Darragh Farrell and cox Glenda Murphy.
Speaking after the race, Club PRO, Sarah McCann said: “The last minute route change, although a mammoth organisational task, gave the crews the chance to row through the town of Drogheda for the first time and with the Drogheda 10K race also taking place at the same time that afternoon, there was a real sense of excitement and healthy competition in the air!
“Inver Colpa Rowing Club would sincerely like to thank everyone who rowed or helped out in any way on the day along with the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service, Clogherhead RNLI Lifeboat Station (especially Barry Sharkey), The Irish Coastguard, Eric Kirwan and all at Clogherhead Coastguard, Padraig Rath, Harbour Master Capt Lar Kirwan, Dr Cyril Sullivan, Director and Paul Fleming, Chief Executive, Drogheda Port for all their support and sponsorship of medals, McManus Tyres, Last Lap Cafe & those who helped with tea & coffee, Richie Hatch, Leinster Farm Machinery, Grennan’s Bar, Tirlan, Phone Tec, MCC Premium Label Solutions, our timekeepers, all those who helped to launch and recover boats and especially all of our club sponsors – Flogas, Southgate Shopping Center, Help my Pension & KC Shipping.”
The next few months are looking busy for the club with the upcoming Drogheda Raft Race – the Battle on the Boyne – on June 1st, which is a joint fundraiser with the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service.
There’s still a chance for companies/businesses/organisations to enter a raft (no boats, no engines — just creativity and recycled materials) and join the fun! On the day, along with the raft race with lots of prizes, people can expect live music, face painting, food and drink stalls, giant garden games and lots more! For more info or to sign up email battleontheboyne@gmail.com and follow the Facebook page for updates.
Also, along with the Drogheda Raft Race, the club are holding a rowathon on Sat 12th July in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre to raise funds for their new boathouse.
Over 150 years after the former Drogheda Rowing Club built their clubhouse in 1867, Inver Colpa Rowing Club are working to keep the sport of rowing alive on the River Boyne for future generations to come by building a new boathouse to serve the community.
On Saturday 12th July from 8am in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre, 10 teams of 4 rowers per team will aim to row 120km against the clock which is an endurance challenge for all that will test the rowers to both their physical and mental limits! There is a GoFundMe link on the club’s Facebook and Instagram and any donations people can give towards this challenge and the building of the new boathouse will be very welcomed!
