History of Carlow Rowing Club


The Carlow Boat Club alongside the Corcoran & Co Ltd Motor Garage & Stores taken from Carlow Bridge c1968
Photo by W. Muldowney


Carlow Rowing Club crest of 1859.
Source: Carlow County Library

In The Beginning

The first attempt to document the history of Carlow Rowing Club was made in 1955 when the committee of that year decided to mark the Blue Riband victory year with a souvenir booklet. The resultant article so successfully captured the progress of the club, through this often unstable, but always colourful, era that it is used here as the basis from which the club’s first “Hundred Years A-Rowing” is told. The history of the Club, however, must be penned somewhat unevenly. The sources of information are correspondence, minute books and heresay.

The earliest record dates from 1860, and refers to a Carlow regatta in 1859. The details of this regatta, and the type of racing at it and the actual beginnings of our club must remain as speculation.

Even before the formation of the Club the River Barrow was dotted with private boathouses. Many a pleasant afternoon were spent “messing about on the river” as the song goes. Indeed the first minute refers with a meeting in the Corn Exchange (now the Deighton Hall) on May 8th, 1860 and is described as a meeting of the subscribers to the 1859 Carlow Regatta fund. Although the early regattas were not national events, the prize money was among the best on offer in the country, amounting to £34 l0s 0d in 1861.

In March 1869, it was unanimously decided to organise the Club properly. Meetings were held, rules were drawn up and the subscription was fixed at a sovereign with an additional entrance fee of the same amount. This fee was not changed until 1948, when raised to £1 l0s 0d.

Blue with white diagonal stripes were chosen for the Club’s colours. There is no available information how or when these colours were subsequently changed. It was not later than 1902, however, for the rules of that year prescribed dark green. For their Club premises the committee negotiated with Mr. Haughton and leased from him the shed near Skinners Lane for an annuity of £10.

Mr. F. Barnes was the first captain of the club in April, 1869, and in June the first boat-keeper, Mick Hayden, was appointed. Mick had a cork leg, believed to be on account of an unfortunate accident on the water. It was customary to assist landing boats by pushing out an oar to the occupant. Miss Byrne mistook the boatman’s wooden leg for the customary oar and the unhappy man ended up in the water.

In 1878 the crew of William P. Hade, Edward Rodgers, Harold Richardson, Joseph Hare and Cox Richard Wilson had the distinction of winning Slaney amateur and Islandbridge Regattas the first victories for a Carlow crew.

The first minutes

The minutes end in 1897 and are not recorded again until 1916, a great pity as the years 1900 - 03 must rank amongst the best in the Club’s history. The names of the famous crew which rowed together for those four years — Bell, Boake, Duggan and Orr — are now household words. They, regularly, competed at Waterford, Wexford, New Ross and Chapelizod, the latter in 1903, their most famous victory.

At this time one of Carlow’s strongest supporters was Lord Rathdonnell, a fine oarsman himself, who had rowed with his brother for Oxford. He took a keen interest in the Club, attending the regattas with his wife, who presented the prizes. In 1902 he donated the silver cup which bears his name, now competed for by senior fours. 1902 also saw the rules updated and these continued as the constitution of the club until last year’s annual general meeting.

The years prior to World War One must have been years of steady development, for, when the Club records resume in 1916 we find a committee obviously content with the clubs financial situation and strength of membership.

The old club house on Skinners Lane in 1921 with the crew (L to R) E. Fenlon, R. Shackleton, C. Slocock, D. Fenlon, R. Ticker and S. Alcock carrying the boat.

Photo Carlow County Museum.

In 1869 ten years after its foundation it established a boat house in a shed on Skinners Lane, which is on the southern side of Graiguecullen bridge and beside the ruins of Carlow Castle, the ruins of which is used on the Club’s logo. The Club remained here until 1962 when it moved a few hundred yards north of the Bridge to occupy the building formerly owned by the Grand Canal Company, which had ceased operations in 1960.

Source: Carlow County Museum

Little encouragement

The affluence of the club however was not of great benefit to the rowing section. The policy of the committee after the War, and through the ‘twenties, was aimed primarily at financial well-being. There was little encouragement to the crews to train for competitive racing. Any advances made were increasing the fleet of pleasure boats, which stood at more than thirty in 1929. This was to prove important in the subsequent history of the Club, for in’the”30s and ‘40s when racing ceased, it was these boats which stood between the Club and extinction, as they provided the sole justification for its continuance.

In the meantime history was made in 1931 when Dolphin R.C., brought down two ladies crews to compete at the regatta. Chivalrously the Club sought no entry fee from them; it was felt that they would be an irresistible attraction and that this would prove a more than adequate compensation.

In the following year Carlow had a senior crew on the water, and the Club was represented at Trinity, Waterford and Ross. This was an unlikely alliance as only the stroke, J. J. Oliver’, was a senior oarsman. Behind him at 3 he had a junior in the person of W L. Duggan, while two maidens - Liam Bergin and Bill Fenlon — sat at 2 and bow. Waterford Regatta was their day of triumph but it was also the last trophy won by the club for more than twenty years.

By 1933 the Clubs finances had dwindled and no regatta was held. Nor could a crew be sent elsewhere. The history, in the following years makes sad reading. The Club, pressed by its creditors, had to economise and in time even to cease its affiliation to the I.A.R.U. and sell its fine and clinker four (though for reasons of sentiment, even when in direst distress, it always refused to sell its trophies). Unhappily, some members were quick to desert the sinking ship; but there was a strong core who would not admit defeat.

Refused to bow

Led by W. L. Duggan, Bill Fenlon and Jim Oliver, the Club refused to bow before what seemed the inevitable. They refused to surrender the Club’s long tradition of triumphing against odds. Rather, it was decided, to start anew and re-build the Club completely. As a beginning, it was to be refurnished with entirely new equipment. The struggle was difficult, but by 1952 a foundation had been laid and the revival of racing was ‘on’. Indeed, ‘52 was to prove the dawn of a new and glorious era.

After two decades silence Carlow was to speak to Irish Rowing again. A clinker four was fitted and rigged by the D.U.B.C. boat-keeper, C. Byrne. The Club revived the regatta and had three cups for competition. In the circumstances, this season was highly successful, but the results were little indication of the amazing success to come in the space of two seasons.

Dates & Names associated with the Carlow Rowing Club:

Carlow’s National Oarsmen - Jimmy O’Neill, Niall O ‘Brien and Michael Nolan who have represented Ireland at World Championships and other inter national regattas.

April, 1869 - Mr. F. Barnes appointed First captain of the club in April, 1869.
June, 1869 - Mick Hayden appointed First boat-keeper.
1878 - the crew of William P. Hade, Edward Rodgers, Harold Richardson, Joseph Hare and Cox Richard Wilson had the distinction of winning Slaney amateur and Islandbridge Regattas the first victories for a Carlow crew.
1902 - Lord Rathdonnell.
1903 - Bell, Boake, Duggan and Orr.

1927 - Carlow vs Drogheda
Carlow Rowing Club versus Drogheda for the Presidents Cup on the river Barrow in 1927. Club members and members of the public follow the contest on bike and on foot along the Barrow track. To the left we see the Gas Works, established 1845, to the right the rear of the Montgomery Street houses. The clump of trees in the centre of the picture were later replaced by a laundry. Carlow Rowing Club. founded in 1859, is one of the oldest established clubs in Ireland. From the Nationalist files we learn that in the event pictured above Carlovians celebrated a one length victory over Drogheda. The Nationalist and Leinster Times newspaper was established in 1883 and has continued to publish weekly editions up to the present day.

Image & text curtsey of: Carlow in Old Picture Postcards (1994) by Michael Purcell.

1932 - J. J. Oliver’, was a senior oarsman. Behind him at 3 he had a junior in the person of W L. Duggan, while two maidens - Liam Bergin and Bill Fenlon - sat at 2 and bow.
1952 - C. Byrne Boat-keeper
1952 - W. L. Duggan, Bill Fenlon and Jim Oliver

1955 - Carlow’s Blue Riband Crew - bow, Mick Bolger; 2, Eamon Stafford; 3, Harry Griffiths; stk., Maurice Dowling; Cox, Joe Fenlon. Source: Carlow Photo Moments. Facebook

1962 - At the opening of the new clubhouse - W. J. Stevens, Hon. Sec I.A.R.U., J. J. Oliver, Captain C.R.C., W L. Duggan, President C.R.C., W J. Fenlon, Hon. Sec. C.R.C., J. A. Phelan, Hon. Treas. C.R.C., D. Gourley, President 1.A.R. U., and Des O’Sullivan, I.A.R.U.

1963 - Our Under-Age Four - Brendan Bolger (Bow), De8sie Whitty (2), W. L. Duggan (Coach), Peadar Doyle (Cox), Anthony Dooley (sth.), Frank Kavanagh (3). Source: Carlow Photo Moments. Facebook

1965 - The Ladies Squad - B. Murphy, P. Cahill, V. Cosgrave, B. Deere, M. Bolger, C. Rosaiter, M. Brophy, D. Harvey; A. Dooley, M. Dempsey, V. Culleton, A. Bolger, Catherine Bolger, C. Bolger, B. Culleton, T. Kinaella, T. Dowling, F. Kavanagh. Source: Carlow Photo Moments. Facebook

1966 - The Committee and crews - D. Whitney, M. Lawler, J. Culleton, J. Nelson, J. Hennessy, M. Lacey, W. L. Duggan, P. M. Lyons, M. Hennessy, A. Dooley. Rev. J. Fingleton, N. Griffith, M. Whitney, Pat Doyle, Peadar Doyle, T. Whitney, R. James, A. Bohanna, J. Hurley, P. Moran, M. Bolger, F. Kavanagh. V. Keating, J. Burke, C. Rossiter, M. King, B. Culleton, O. Bolger, R. Shaw, D. Harvey, B. Shelley, F. Fitzpatrick, L. King, M. Walshe, D. Hurley, C. Bolger, M. Bolger, J. Cosgrave, K. Kinsella, P. Haughney, E. Murphy, F. Whitmore, R. Culleton, L. Keating, J. Blake, S. Doyle. P. Shaw, J. Nolan, P. Doyle, N. Hurley.

Carlow RC Cadet eight 1968. With their spoils. — with Noel Maddock, Fran Whitmore, David Tierney, Francis Fitzpatrick, Joe Travers, W L Duggan, Seamus Keating, Jim Nolan, Des Walsh, Noel Hurley and Des Hurley.

Carlow RC Cadet four, 1968. - David Tierney, Seamus Keating, Davy Hurley, Noel Maddock, Bobby Walsh.

Source: Anna Nolan Gough (Facebook)

1968 - Cadet Oarsmen

The Carlow cadet eight who beat Marist college in the cadet final in the Carlow regatta in 1968.

Top: Davey. Hurley

Middle row: Paul Doyle, Des Walsh, Joe Tracers, Des Hurley, Seamus Keating

Front row: Noel Hurley, Jim Nolan, David Tierney, Fran Whitmore,

(Not in the photo are N. Maddock, F. Fitzpatrick, W. L. Duggan who were also part of the team.)

Source: Anna Nolan Gough (Facebook)

Rowing Club Group 1968. Source: Liam 'Doc' Kelly from Facebook

1969 - Carlow's highly successful Scullers - Dessie Whitney (Junior) eight wins, Jimmy Nelson (Maiden) two successes, and Anthony Dooley (Senior) who scored nine victories and finished third in the Irish Championship.

1957 - Carlow’s Maiden 8 Crew.

Source of photo: Dermot O'Brien

1975 - The top crew was an under-age four. In the boat was P. J. McDonnell, T. V. Stafford, Joe Bohanna, Joe Fenlon and Cox Maurice Dowling.

Carlow RC Seniors 1975 — with Anthony (Tony) Dooley, Jimmy O'Neill, Greg Watchorn, Mick Lacey, Pat Shaw, Mick Whitney, Tony Harrison, Paddy Behan, Frankie Haughney R.I.P, Seamus Keating. (front) - Greg Denieffe, Cavie Molloy, Ken Burke.

Source: Anna Nolan Gough (Facebook)

The 1979 Carlow Rowing Club's Novice Eight crew which won their event at Metropolitan Regatta at Blessington last weekend. Four of the crew later won the Novice Four event.

Photo of thecrew with: Pat Bolger, Tommy Alcock, Greg Deniefe, Johnny Harmon, Paul Murphy, Michael Noland, Alan Haughney and John Hogan.

Source: Willie Murphy & Brian Haughney Facebook

Carlow Rowing Club c.1980

Front row: Anthony Shaw (Thunder), F. Fitzpatrick, Tommy Alcock, Alan Haughney (Cha), Paul O'Rourke, Jimmy Hurley, Paddy Byrne.

Back row: Maurice O'Neill, Willie Murphy, Martin Byrne ??, Ger (Ernie) Timmons. RIP,

Photo source: Willie Murphy on Facebook

1983 - Carlow Rowing Club's Senior C 8 winners at Trinity Regatta last season: Cox, Sam Snoddy; Stroke, Tommy Alcock; 7, Greg Denieffe; 6, Oliver Burke; 5, Michael Nolan; 4, Seamus O’Brien; 3, Brendan Slattery; 2, Niall O’Brien; Bow, John Hogan and Anthony Dooley (Coach).

1983 - Club members, Union officials and guests in jovial mood at a function in Carlow to mark Bill Duggan’s 50th year in rowing - Fr. Paddy Dowling (Kildare), George McBride (Derry), Fr. Eddie Diffley (Galway), Charlie Hamill (Coleraine), John McGeehan (Athlone), Peadar Casey (Dublin); Aidan Murray (Carlow), George Hamill (Coleraine), Wally Stevens (Dublin), Tom Heylin (Cork), Jim Crowe (Limerick), Joe Culleton (Dundalk), Des O’Sullivan (Dublin), Jackie Phelan (Cork), Jim Oliver (Carlow); Eileen Treacy (Carlow), Madge Murray (Carlow), Ethel Crowe (Limerick), Molly Stevens (Dublin), Agnes Oliver (Carlow), Bill Duggan, Kit Duggan, Mrs. O’Sullivan (Dublin), Gert Phelan (Cork), Eileen Culleton (Dundalk) and Mona Fenlon (Carlow).

1983-84 - The Club Committee for the 1983-'84 season - Peadar Doyle, Greg Denieffe, Anthony Dooley, Robin James, Michael Nolan, Seamus Keating, Michael Curran, Philip O’Dea, Michael Whitney, Kieran Kennedy, W. L. Duggan, Paul Lyons, Paddy Behan.

1984 - Club's Junior Eight - Our Junior Eight for this season - bow, Mitchel Duggan, Aidan Walsh, Danny Lane, Larry McHugh, Seamus Bolton, Ken Donnelly, John Harmon, Seamus Scully, Cox, Sam Snoddy.

2008 - Rowers celebrate first national win in 149 years

The winning crew were Marai Abouzakouk, David Geoghegan, Trevor Yomans, Tommy Deere, Aaron Bolger, Leon Fleming, Niall Murphy. Niall White and cox Kate Lynham Jones.

At the championships the junior 16 women at the Carlow club had a win also along with the junior 14 men.

Source: Carlow Rowing Club 125th Anniversary Souvenir booklet.

[ PREVIOUS ] [ NEXT PAGE ]