Ciarán Hayes will make history in 2026 as the first Irishman to umpire the Men’s Boat Race, a remarkable milestone for the Skibbereen Rowing Club alumnus who first learned to row with the club as a teenager. From those beginnings in one of Ireland’s most successful clubs, Ciarán went on to row for Oxford’s Isis crew while studying at Pembroke College, before building an international reputation as a British Rowing and World Rowing umpire. The Boat Race, will take place on Saturday, 4 April, on the River Thames in London, UK. Read more about the event here.
Additionally, European Rowing has announced the International Juries for the European Rowing of the 2026 season, with two Irish umpires selected. Rowing Ireland would like to congratulate Lisa O’Callaghan and Kieran Kerr on their appointments.
Lisa O’Callaghan has been selected as an umpire at the European Under 19 Championships in Brandenburg, Germany, which will take place from 23–24 May.
Kieran Kerr has been appointed as an umpire (Spares) at the European Under 23 Championships in Kruszwica, Poland, which will take place from 5–6 September.
Congratulations to Ciarán, Lisa and Kieran on these important appointments for 2026.
