The first three months of 2023 has been an exciting time for Inver Colpa Rowing Club but things are getting even better since the club received planning permission recently for its new boathouse on the Marsh Road.
“We are delighted to receive the planning permission for our new boathouse and we would like to thank all those who supported our application, including Louth County Council, FloGas, The Boyne Fisherman’s Rescue and Recovery, The Drogheda Port Company, and all our other sponsors and friends” said Club Chairman James McKevitt.
“Our new boathouse will give the club a permanent home, which will help strengthen our identity and establish our presence in the town” he added. “These are very exciting times for the club and indeed for rowing in the town of Drogheda and the North East.
“There is a great tradition and history of rowing in Drogheda, and the new boathouse will contribute hugely to further encouraging the sport in the community.”
The club has organised a Coast to Coast Cycle in August as the start of a major fundraising drive for the new boathouse.
Cyclists who are up for the challenge of this fundraiser will have the choice of two cycling routes: Galway to Drogheda (230kms approx.) or Athlone to Drogheda (133kms approx.)
Those who sign up will need to undertake to fundraise €500 each, but will have their insurance, overnight accommodation before the challenge and travel to the starting point all covered by the club.
Group training sessions will also take place before the event and have already started. For more information on the cycle, contact Martin at 087 4434 667 or invercolparowing@gmail.com
Meanwhile, on 26th March, the club hosted an Information Day and welcomed nearly 20 people to try their hand at river rowing and learn all about the club’s history. A new members form is available on Facebook and Instagram for anyone interested.
“This is the start of an exciting period of growth for the club with the purchase of our third One Design boat which will allow members to spend more time on the oars in training, which will hopefully lead to more silverware in the cabinet as we enter the busy summer racing season!” said club Secretary Glenda Murphy.
“It is wonderful to see the amount of interest in rowing in the town and we hope that many of those who came to our recent Information Day will soon become new members of the club.
Finally, the seventh annnual Boyne Boat Race will take place on Sunday April 30th when men and women rowers from all across the country will make their way to Clogherhead Beach and row along the coast to the mouth of the Boyne and up the river and underneath the viaduct for a sprint finish to the de Lacy bridge.
Racing across the sea and down the river that day will be a mixture of East Coast skiffs, St. Sykes skiffs, currachs, All-Ireland one design boats, Fiesas and Celtic Longboats, with ladies, mens and mixed crews all rowing against the elements aiming to be the fastest in their category.
The club would like to thank its sponsors FloGas, EBS, Premium Pellets and helpmypension.ie along with the Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery and the RNLI, without whose support the event could not take place.
All are welcome to come to Clogherhead Beach for the 2pm start time or to line along the river at the finish line to cheer on our crews from approximately 3.15pm!
For more information about Inver Colpa Rowing Club and their activities see their Facebook Page
