Wexford to see pulling power of All Ireland Rowing Championships
THE country’s best rowers and their supporters are expected to splash out over a million euro in a major boost for Wexford’s local economy this coming weekend.
Rowing clubs from all over the country have set a course for Wexford on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 17, 18 and 19, as Wexford town hosts the All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships for the first time ever.
Local rowing clubs Maudlintown and Troll have been working hand in hand with the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation to put together a programme featuring almost 50 races, and over 500 crews ranging from youngsters to veterans.
This is the 27 th years of the All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships and organisers say that the Wexford event will be ‘the greatest festival of coastal rowing we have ever put on’.
The action unfolds in Ferrybank on Friday with races from 5 p.m. and an opening ceremony around 8 p.m. that evening.
As well as Heritage and Open Classic races, Wexford will witness skiffs of the East coast, currachs of the west, and of course Wexford cots, along with the Seine boats of County Kerry making a very rare appearance away from the waters of the South West.
The presentations to the winners will take place around 7.30 p.m. on Friday, and at around 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the last race of the day.
A closing celebration and party night will take place in the Riverbank House Hotel from 9 p.m. Sunday, with a DJ, spot prizes and a very reasonable ticket price of €10.
Traffic and parking restrictions will be in place at the Ferrybank side of Wexford Bridge through the weekend.
Spectators are urged to cooperate with Gardaí and stewards and park in town and walk across the bridge as parking onsite will be reserved strictly for rowing club members towing boats and equipment.