To celebrate Limerick’s designation as European City of Sport this year’s Limerick Regatta promises to be bigger than ever before when crews take to the water in O’Brien’s Bridge on Saturday April 30.
Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Ger Fahy was on hand to launch the 2011 Limerick Regatta. To celebrate Limerick’s designation as European City of Sport this year’s Limerick Regatta 2011 promises to be bigger than ever before when crews take to the water in O’Brien’s Bridge on Saturday April 30.
It promises to be a spectacular days rowing with 52 separate events scheduled, over 1,000 athletes, using the full four lane course, you will see a full days competitive rowing, with a race leaving the stake boats every five minutes from 8am to 6.30pm.
The launch of the 2011 Regatta programme, which was sponsored by Heineken Ireland in Shannon Rowing Club was attended by all Limerick Rowing Clubs which collectively make up Limerick Regatta Committee.
This collective Regatta was first organised in Limerick City in 1870, but because the Regatta grew so large, the tidal conditions in the city didn’t allow enough time to run the full programme, and the Regatta moved to Killaloe in the 1970’s for a few years before it found its current home in O’Briens Bridge in 1984.
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of Limerick Regatta, Rob Le Gear, acknowledged Shannon Development’s support for this year’s Regatta and explained “It is this collective support and willing volunteers that give freely of their time and skill that has sustained this annual Regatta for more than 140 years. Today we acknowledge two past chairmen for their outstanding contributions to the Regatta over the years. Tony Tynne, Limerick Boat Club has served 46 years on the Regatta committee from 1964 to 2010 and Dermot Henihan, St. Michael’s Rowing Club served 33 years 1977 – 2010. Both men have been at the heart of Limerick Regatta for decades and it was their foresight that orchestrated the purchase of the Regatta site in O’Brien’s Bridge that gives us access today to a wonderful stretch of water between Castleconnell and O’Brien’s Bridge.”
Also announced jointly by Rob Le Gear, Chairman of Limerick Regatta Committee and Dr Hugh Maguire, Director of The Hunt Museum is an exciting new initiative that will see a full restoration programme of all the Limerick Regatta trophies with a full public exhibition of all the Regatta trophies in the Hunt Museum later this year.
Since 1870 Limerick Regatta has gathered a treasure trove of magnificent trophies and this is a fabulous legacy that will live on long into after the celebrations of 2011. Rob Le Gear acknowledged the kind support of Berna Scanlon and all her staff in AIB O’Connell Street who have looked after the trophies up until now.
For those who cannot make it to O’Brien’s Bridge on Saturday there will be rowing in the city as part of the Sports on the Shannon element of the Riverfest festival on Sunday May 1st.
The Limerick rowing clubs are undertaking a rowing display as part of Riverfest’s Spectacular Sports on the Shannon which will see the local clubs compete in an invitational eights race from the Court House to Shannon Bridge on Sunday May 1st at 6.30pm.
The main Regatta on Saturday April 30th will run on a beautiful stretch of water in O’Brien’s Bridge with plenty of vantage points for spectators along the bank.
There is no entry fee for spectators and everyone is welcome to come along, bring a picnic and enjoy this wonderful spectacle - with the best of Irish Rowing and more than 1,000 athletes from all over Ireland competing from Junior 14’s to Masters. It promises to be a great weekends rowing.
