Carlow Rowing Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlow Rowing Club was founded and held its first regatta in 1859, thus making it one of the oldest sporting clubs in Ireland. Since its foundation the Club for the most part has been based on either side of the Griaguecullen Bridge in Carlow Town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, ccm 74-311.  

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A miniature kayak paddle won by M. F. Barnes at the Carlow Regatta in 1868. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 73-067.

The Club is responsible for one of the county’s main annual sporting occasions, the Carlow Regatta, which takes place over the course of the June Bank Holiday with crews coming from all over Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditionally the Carlow Regatta starts to the north of the town at Strawhall and finishes just above the Rowing Club. The Sugar Factory pipe to its lagoons is used as the starting point. Photo Carlow County Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old meets the new. The Club occupies the site of the Canal Stores, which was serviced by these canal boats. Photo Carlow County Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carlow Rowing Club 1916 silver Medal presented to John Fenlon. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 83-026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old boat house still stands in the shadow of Carlow Castle and although it has not been used as such since 1962 the name is still visible on the gable wall. Photo Carlow County Museum.