The Colours Boat Races are an annual series of head-to-head rowing races between Trinity and UCD on the River Liffey in Dublin. The series began in 1947, and comprises of the Gannon Cup for Senior Men’s 8+, the Corcoran Cup for Senior Women’s 8+, the Dan Quinn Shield for beginner Men’s 8+ the Sally Moorehead Trophy for beginner Women’s 8+. The website contains more information on the history of the event.
2023 will be the 73rd edition, taking place on Saturday 25th March with the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race taking place in London the following day.
Colours offers a unique spectacle on the River Liffey with each race consisting of two 60ft racing boats, each with 8 rowers and a coxswain. The current course runs from O’Connell Bridge to St. James Gate Brewery and takes between 7 and 10 minutes depending on the race. Several sponsorship opportunities are available including overall event sponsor and individual race sponsors. For more information, reach out via email.
For this first time, all four clubs will be captained by women in the series, with Isabel Doyle and Shauna Fitzsimons breaking the glass ceiling as the first female captains of Trinity and UCD’s Men’s clubs.
“Colours is one of the premier dates in the Irish rowing calendar and has a great historical significance. It represents some of the highest level of amateur sport and competition in Ireland, fittingly taking place through the centre of our capital city” – Isabel Doyle, Captain Trinity Men.
Colours is one of the highlights of our rowing season. Racing through the heart of Dublin city against one of our biggest rivals is a huge privilege and showcases the very best of our club” – Alicia O’Neill, Captain Trinity Women.
“I am really excited to be racing once again in The Colours Boat Races. It is always an honour to represent your college while racing through the centre of Dublin”- Ellie Scott, Captain UCD Women.
“It’s always a special race remembering one of our great Captains Ciaran Gannon and we’re delighted so many of his family are able to make the trip to Dublin this year to join us'” – Shauna Fitzsimons, Captain UCD Men.
