The prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta took place last weekend, from 17 to 19 October, in Boston. Rowing Ireland was well represented, with twenty entries from clubs across the weekend.
The event saw some of our high-performance athletes deliver outstanding performances. 2025 World Championships bronze medallists Fintan McCarthy of Skibbereen Rowing Club and Philip Doyle of Belfast Boat Club won the Men’s Championship Doubles, before joining Daire Lynch of UCD Boat Club and Konan Pazzaia of Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club to claim victory in the Directors’ Challenge Men’s Quads. World Champion Fiona Murtagh of NUIG Boat Club finished sixth in the Women’s Championship Single Sculls, while Konan Pazzaia took seventh in the men’s equivalent. In the Mixed Eight event, Emma Waters secured first place. Cliodhna Nolan of Carlow Rowing Club, who represented Ireland at this year’s Home Internationals, finished second in the Women’s Lightweight Singles.
The weekend also showcased the strength of Rowing Ireland’s Masters crews, with top ten finishes from the Dublin University Ladies Boat Club Alumni Women’s Quad, the Irish Masters Boat Club Masters Eight, and the Old Collegians Boat Club Alumni Women’s Eight.
Rowing Ireland was also proud to see athletes competing for the Survivor Rowing Network. The Survivor Rowing Network is a global community dedicated to helping cancer survivors find healing, strength, and connection through the sport of rowing. They were represented by fourteen boats, with one hundred and twenty-two athletes taking part in this year’s Head of the Charles.
During the weekend, Rowing Ireland athletes were welcomed at a reception hosted by the Consul General. At the event, Jane Williams, President of Rowing Ireland, presented her with two books celebrating Ireland’s waterways: one on the rivers of Ireland and another by Manchán Magan on west coast sea lore.
Congratulations to all crews who took part and represented Rowing Ireland with distinction.
