Vartry Rowers honour 1979 crew at end-of-season celebration in Ernie’s
VARTRY Rowing Club marked a remarkably successful year with an end of season celebration held upstairs in Ernie’s Bar.
The club also decided to use the occasion to honour the surviving Wicklow rowers who rowed from Hollyhead to Wicklow in 1979 to raise funds to purchase a kidney dialysis machine. That same machine still remains in use in Dublin some 38 years later. The crew consisted of Ruben Dover, Bernie Corkish, Finn Corkish, Seamus Quinn and the late Jim Quinn.
Ruben, Bernie, Finn and Seamus were all present to collect their trophy specially commissioned by the Vartry Rowing Club. The five-man crew from 1979 were the first Wicklow crew to cross the Irish sea by oars only.
While paying tribute, Chairman of the Vartry Rowing Club, George O’Brien said: ‘we are continuing what those rowers from 1979 started. They are our inspiration when we take part in our own long distance rows. Their efforts on behalf of charity also influence many of the charity rows we partake in.’
All five trophies won by the Vartry Rowing Club this season were on display, including the Barrow Challenge, All-Ireland Intermediate Cup, the Castle to Castle race in Wales and the Celtic Challenge.
The Celtic Challenge was a particularly memorable victory, with 13 teams racing from Arklow to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast back in May, a distance of about 90 nautical miles.
The club is still searching for a permanent home and somewhere to store their boats away from the elements. Anyone who may be able to offer the club some assistance can contact George O’Brien on (086) 3116975.