Photos: Colin Bell Photography
The turning of the sod for the new Inver Colpa Rowing Club boathouse took place on Saturday 18 April 2026 at the Marsh Road site in Drogheda.
Among those at the event were Saoirse Mallon, Club Secretary, Cllr James Byrne of Fianna Fáil, Martin Murphy, a founding member of the club, Laurence Kirwan, Harbour Master at Drogheda Port, and Darragh Farrell, Chairman of Inver Colpa Rowing Club.
The ceremony also marked a significant moment in the history of rowing in Drogheda. The original Drogheda Rowing Club was located around 200 metres upriver from the new site, alongside the Viaduct, and played a central role in sporting life on the River Boyne. The annual Boyne Regatta was once a major highlight on the town’s social calendar before the club disbanded in the late 1960s.
Two people with strong links to the original club, Mr Olan Allan and Mr Declan McQuillan, grandson of former chairman Alphonsos McQuillan, were present for the sod turning.
Inver Colpa Rowing Club was established in 2012, with the revival of the Boyne Boat Race following in 2014. This year’s event, scheduled for Sunday 3 May, is set to be the largest yet, with 31 boats from across the country registered to take part.
The new boathouse will be located on a greenfield site east of the slipway at the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery on the Marsh Road. The land has been provided to the club on a long term lease.
At present, the club operates with limited facilities. Three shipping containers are used to store boats, oars, lifejackets and other equipment, while four rowing machines are stored in a meeting room at the Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue.
Phase one of the project will see the construction of a new boathouse capable of storing three one design boats, a sea boat and two currachs. The building will also include a gym space for rowing machines and equipment to support winter training. As part of the long term vision, the club hopes to purchase a FISA compliant boat with grant support, allowing it to further develop its juvenile programme.
The club currently has 40 active members, with a waiting list of more than 60 people.
The new boathouse has been designed by McKevitt King Architects and takes inspiration from the original 1870s design, featuring a curved structure facing the river. Construction will be carried out by Newgrange Construction at a cost of €220,000. The club has secured €152,000 through an Irish Sports Capital Grant and is continuing fundraising efforts to bridge the remaining gap.
Members also paid tribute to former chairman James McKevitt for his support and dedication in bringing the project to this stage. Fundraising efforts have included initiatives such as the Inver Colpa coast to coast cycle from Galway to Drogheda in August 2023, along with flag days and rowathons.
Looking ahead, the club believes the future of rowing in Drogheda is bright. The new facility will provide young people with improved access to the River Boyne for training and development, along with a safe and dedicated environment to build their skills.
Inver Colpa Rowing Club aims to grow as a competitive rowing club and has already enjoyed success, including a gold medal for its female novice crew at the Irish Coastal Rowing Championships in Glenarm in August 2025, marking the club’s first All Ireland win.
The new boathouse and facilities are expected to play a key role in the continued growth of rowing in Louth and East Meath.
The photograph shows the original boathouse circa 1878.
