Carlow Rowing Club
Carlow Rowing Club.
[ photo: County Museum. ]
Carlow Rowing Club was founded and held its first regatta in 1859, thus making it one of the oldest sporting clubs in Ireland. Since its foundation the Club for the most part has been based on either side of the Griaguecullen bridge in Carlow Town.
The old club house on Skinners Lane in 1921.
[ photo: County Museum, ccm 74-311. ]
In 1869, ten years after its foundation it established a boat house in a shed on Skinners Lane, which is on the southern side of Graiguecullen bridge and beside the ruins of Carlow Castle, the ruins of which is used on the Club’s logo. The Club remained at Skinners Lane until 1962 when it moved a few hundred yards north of the Graiguecullen bridge to occupy the building formerly owned by the Grand Canal Company, which had ceased operations in 1960. This is where the club remains today.
Carlow Regatta
The Club is responsible for one of the County’s main annual sporting occasions, the Carlow Regatta, which takes place over the course of the June Bank Holiday with crews coming from all over Ireland.
A miniature kayak paddle won by M. F. Barnes at the Carlow Regatta of 1868.
[ photo: County Museum, ccm 73-067. ]
Regatta starting point.
[ photo: County Museum. ]
Traditionally the Carlow Regatta starts to the north of the town at Strawhall and finishes just above the Rowing Club.