Galway Rowing Club

For the next two days the rescheduled 1K Classic, from June, gets under way on Lough Rinn, and all our J14/15 and Masters athletes will hit the water, in the hope to close out their 25/26 season with a strong performance and collect a win or two.

With the event being rescheduled really does mix things up, having prepared for June and a new date set for September, after holidays and schools reopening...but our athletes and coaches kept plugging away as best as they could, and are prepared and ready to race and attack Lough Rinn.

Heres hoping Lough Rinn plays its part and the rain, and especailly the wind, abates some bit, and gives fair racing for all the athletes.

So best of luck to all our super athletes, oaches, parents, supporters over the coming days, and safe driving to everyone.
And good luck also to all the organisers and volunteers who have worked so hard to get this ready, again, for the new dates

Links and timetables below.

Saturday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP4b8dFsNyE
Sunday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-t_JFEA92M

Last weekend we had the honour to welcome a very special visitor to the boatshed, an honorary club member, Olympic bronze medalist, former World Champion, current World Silver medalist, and three time Irish champion for GRC, Fiona Murtagh.

Fresh from winning silver at the World Championships in Holland a few weeks ago, Fiona was enjoying a well earned break and some home cooked meals in Moycullen, when she swung by to chat with her former clubmates, coaches and current stock of GRC superstars.

She chatted, signed autographs, took loads of pictures, even did a full blown interview... success has not gone to Fiona's head.
*And now fantastic news, she will be back rowing in the purple and Amber next season and into the Olympics for LA 2028.*

She always was and will be a proud GRC member but we're soo thrilled to have Fiona back representing GRC "officially" going forward..

Thanks to Brian Harding Photography for capturing Fiona's visit

Last weekend we hosted a very special GRC clubber and BBQ, followed by our Trad Session afterwards.
Events kicked off with our Hughes Cup event for 1st year rowers, which was contested by several Coxed Quads.
This was followed by The John Jordan Memorial Club Cup, for all members, in a hotly contested competition raced over by five Coxed Eights, in a round Robin fashion. As always there was great rowing, laughing, slashing and of course a bit of controversy... but all in light heated humour. Rena Jordan (John's daughter and race sponsor), and her husband Kevin, were on hand to present the cup to the winning crew.
This was followed by a fantastic BBQ by our parents committee who a always outdone themselves.

Many thanks to all involved in and of the water in making this an incredible day for all our members.

So tomorrow on London's Docklands course, in the center of London, 4 GRC girls, Laura Carolan, Carragh Coffey, Beatrice Kelly and Lily Couturier will don the Irish Green one piece for the first time, and along with their crew mates from Shandon, Portora and Waterford will race for their clubs and country at the Home Internationals 2026.

Following an incredible Championship regatta two weeks ago, the girls were training three times/day to blend and prepare for this event. And of course, club coaches Noel Stapleton and Tom Elwood continued with them, guiding and coaching.

The coaches, crews and families are now in London set for action.
We wish everyone the very best tomorrow. To say we're emencely proud would be an understatement. Four girls getting Irish jerseys, and two coaches top off a great year for the club.

GRC Abú

Our friends in John Butler Sports Therapy Clinic are running a fantastic fundraiser in aid of Irish Heart Charity Croí.

John, Mary and their team will be running a special event on Tuesday 28th July, during the Galway Races, with many fulfilled events on the day, with all funds going to Croí.

Check full details on the link, as well as donation details.

Support Fundraiser for Croí - Stroke Rehab Unit on iDonate.ie Fundraiser for Croí - Stroke Rehab Unit for Croi, created by Mary Butler | iDonate.ie

We just learned the sad news of the passing of Imelda Scally, a famous oarswoman in our club.
Imelda was a member of the famous Ladies 4+ that won in Nottingham in the late 70's.

Her brother Vincent also coached Mens crews in the late 70s, early 80s.

Our condolences to Imeldas family at this sad time

Death Notice of Imelda Hughes (née Scally) (Newcastle, Galway) | rip.ie The death has occurred of Imelda Hughes (née Scally) of Newcastle, Galway Ireland, on 11/07/2026. You can view the full death notice and add your condolences here.