Rowing

The Irish Amateur Rowing Union was established in 1899 and is the governing body for Rowing in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Rowing is fast becoming one of Ireland's most competitive international sports. There are currently four confirmed boats for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 with seven athletes representing Ireland. Rowing Ireland is ranked second in the World for Olympic Boat Classes after our success at the World Rowing Championships in Austria. The 2019 season produced brilliant results with medals won at both Junior, U23 and Senior Level. Four boats are currently qualified for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo with a significant chance to qualify a fifth.

Role models in Rowing such as Sanita Puspure, Paul and Gary O’Donovan have won multiple World and European Championships and competed for Ireland at the Olympics in 2016. They continue to inspire the next generation of Irish rowers.

Rowing Ireland caters for River Rowing, Coastal Rowing, and Offshore Rowing. There are over 100 clubs affiliated to Rowing Ireland nationwide.  Rowing is a low impact, full-body workout and is a sport that participants can do from a young age into their retirement years. Annual events include Irish Rowing Championships, Irish Coastal Rowing Championships, Irish Offshore Rowing Championships and Indoor Rowing Championships.

How can I get involved?

Rowing Ireland's Get Going…Get Rowing programme is a participation based indoor rowing programme to introduce young people to the sport of rowing and encourage them to engage in physical activity. The programme is delivered in secondary schools nationwide, with a pathway from the machine to the boat with the support of local rowing clubs. The curriculum delivered by the Rowing Ireland Community Coaches focusses on the correct rowing technique and an introduction to the Olympic Values Education Programme. The key success factor for participants in learning a new sport while having fun using games which encourage participation and active involvement. 

A key element to the Get Going…Get Rowing programme is the on-the-water taster session for schools who take part in the programme. This is an opportunity for participants to take their learnings on the rowing machines and apply that technique to rowing in a boat. It is a step along the pathway from machine to club.

An integral component of the programme are our events – our indoor rowing blitz series and our on-the-water events. These events encourage participation over competition and are based on team involvement. We actively encourage all participants on the Get Going…Get Rowing programme to take part in our events which are held nationwide. Often this is an opportunity for the 'less sporty' students to represent their school at a sporting event.

The Get Going…Get Rowing programme also runs a Transition Year coaching programme which encourages peer-to-peer coaching in schools. This element of the programme is an opportunity for students in Transition Year to learn valuable coaching and communication skills which are transferrable to other sports and life in general.

In addition to the school-based programme, the Get Going…Get Rowing programme run Learn-to-row camps during the Summer holidays. Often, it is these camps which help participants make the final decision to commit to getting involved in their local rowing club and taking up the sport which will make a lifelong impression on their overall health and wellbeing.

More information can be found on the Get Going…Get Rowing website (https://www.getgoinggetrowing.com/) and all programme activities can be followed on Social Media under the handle @Get_rowing.

National Governing Body Contact Information

Rowing Ireland

National Rowing Centre
Farran Wood
Ovens
Co. Cork

Tel: 021 743 4044