The 2026 Irish Rowing Championships got underway at the National Rowing Centre yesterday with a special celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s rowing team at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.
The commemorative lunch brought together Olympians, coaches, family members, Rowing Ireland board members, current high-performance athletes, partners and supporters to honour the athletes whose achievements helped lay the foundations for the success of Irish rowing today.
The event recognised what was, at the time, Ireland’s largest Olympic rowing team and celebrated the dedication, ambition and pioneering spirit of those who represented Ireland on the world stage.
Among those in attendance were Olympian Seán Drea, whose fourth-place finish in the men’s single sculls at Montreal 1976 remains one of the finest performances in Irish Olympic rowing history, alongside members of the men’s coxless four and men’s coxed four crews, reserve athlete and Irish flag bearer Frank Moore, members of the coaching team and family representatives honouring those no longer with us.
Guests also included representatives from Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Cork County Council, including Mayor of Cork County Cllr Damien Boylan and Cllr Gobnait Moynihan, Mary Barrett from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Coillte, commercial partners, Garda Boat Club and the wider rowing community, reflecting the strong partnerships that continue to support Irish rowing.
Rowing Ireland Interim CEO Matt McKerrow opened the event by welcoming guests, saying, “It is a privilege to have you here.” He paid tribute to those who were unable to attend and remembered the athletes and coaches who have since passed away, acknowledging their lasting contribution to Irish rowing.
Rowing Ireland Board President Jane Williams also addressed the gathering, reflecting on the significance of the Montreal team and the lasting impact they have had on generations of Irish rowers.
Commemorative awards, specially designed by Kenny McDonald, were presented by Barry McWilliams, Chair of the Rowing Ireland Board, to the Montreal Olympians in recognition of their contribution to Irish rowing. The formal presentations concluded with Seán Drea cutting a specially commissioned anniversary cake.
The celebrations also created an opportunity for past and present rowers to come together, with members of Ireland’s current high-performance team spending time with the Olympians, sharing stories and reflecting on how the sport has evolved over the past five decades.
During the presentations, Matt McKerrow invited the Olympians to share memories of their Olympic experience, their thoughts on the National Rowing Centre and the remarkable progress of Irish rowing since 1976. Reflecting on their journey, the athletes spoke warmly about the coaches who had shaped their careers and expressed their pride in the achievements of Ireland’s current high-performance team, recognising the continued success of the programme they helped lay the foundations for. One particularly memorable moment came when several of the Olympians recalled their training conditions, joking that they had “upgraded from changing in the ditch to a cowshed” before adding that they “still had to share it with the cows!” The story drew laughter from guests and perfectly captured the resilience and humour that characterised the era.
The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was warm, relaxed and filled with laughter as teammates and friends reconnected. Many of the Olympians proudly wore their original green blazers and shared treasured memorabilia from the Montreal Games, including Olympic Village athlete passes, photo albums, newspaper clippings, team kit and other keepsakes. Together, they brought the stories of the 1976 team vividly to life and offered a fascinating glimpse into a landmark era of Irish rowing.
Coaches who played such an important role in the development of Irish rowing were also recognised during the celebration, with several speakers paying tribute to Rowing Ireland High Performance Lead Coach Dominic Casey and acknowledging his outstanding contribution to Ireland’s success on the international stage.
The commemorative lunch provided a fitting opening to a Championships weekend that will welcome approximately 1,300 athletes from clubs across the country to the National Rowing Centre, supported by thousands of spectators, volunteers, officials and local businesses.
As the 2026 Irish Rowing Championships continued, yesterday’s celebration served as a reminder that the success enjoyed by Irish rowing has been built on the commitment, resilience and vision of those who came before. Fifty years on from Montreal, the athletes and coaches of 1976 continue to inspire the next generation, and the opportunity to celebrate their legacy alongside today’s rowers made for a memorable start to the 2026 Irish Rowing Championships.
The event was a tremendous success, with guests remaining long after the formal proceedings had concluded to share stories, renew friendships and reflect on a remarkable chapter in Irish rowing history.
Photo credit: Conor Lyall
